Wolverines takes first at Flying W's Relays

PHARR -- Despite not having the full attention of its coaches, the PSJA Memorial boys track & field team won the Flying W's Relays on Saturday at PSJA Stadium.

Because the Wolverines track programs hosted the event, the coaching staffs were also busy running the meet.

"They worked by themselves because the staff that we had all worked the track meet so the boys were pretty much on their own," Wolverines coach Leeroy Perez said. "They showed a good amount of maturity in doing what they had to do to get ready. (The coaches) saw a few things but that is one way they grow up. That is one way they mature by making mistakes. We'll see them on Monday and we'll talk to them."

For the most part, the Wolverines (119 points) kept the mistakes to a minimum, finishing 23 points better than second place Edinburg North (96). PSJA North and Rio Grande City ended tied for third with 93 points.

Memorial, which won the Winter Relays and Alice meets earlier this season, placed first in only two events but had at least one athlete place in 13 of 18 events.

Mac Zarate won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.93 seconds for the Wolverines, who also took first in the 3,200-meter relay (8:25.70).

"We didn't run exceptionally well today," Perez said. "We have run a little bit better throughout the season. Again, we weren't able to coach them so we are real happy we won."

The only male athletes to win more than one individual event Saturday were Rio Grande City's Alex Garza, who was tops in the discus (144 feet, 9 inches) and the shot put (53-10 1/2), and Weslaco High's Marcus Cabrera, who placed first in the triple jump (42-10) and high jump (6-4).

The only individual athlete to win three events was Mercedes' Deandra Barroso. The state qualifier from last season took top honors in the long jump (16-8 1/4), triple jump (35-7) and the 300-meter hurdles (46.46). Her winning time in the hurdles event improves on her Rio Grande Valley-best time of 46.65

"I think I am where I need to be in order to do my best in district. I know with the coaching I'm getting, I'll be a lot better," said the sophomore, who decided against running in the 100-meter hurdles to try her luck in the 100-meter dash where she finished third with a time of 12.78.

Sharyland came through with an impressive win on the girls said. The Lady Rattlers' (147) nearest competitor was Edinburg North (92). The team was without their coach Sandra Guerrero, who is on maternity leave, but finished first in four events and placed in 14.

"They did OK," Lady Rattlers assistant coach Melissa Dearth said. "There were some (personal records) in there. We got a PR in the 300-meter hurdles (46.85). (Kayla De La Peña) keeps getting better and better every week."

Peter Rasmussen covers high school sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via e-mail at prasmussen@themonitor.