San Benito's Lopez among group of Valley runners headed to state
Brenda Lopez has come a long way in a short time as a cross country runner for the San Benito Lady Greyhounds.
Lopez, a junior, will compete for the first time at Saturday's UIL state meet at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock after finishing sixth at the Region IV-5A meet last Saturday in San Antonio. The top three teams and top 10 individual finishers in each division at the regional level qualified for the state meet.
Lopez's improvement has been evident all season, especially at the District 32-5A meet on Oct. 21 in Los Fresnos, where she came in first after placing 15th the previous year.
"Brenda has been more consistent with her running (and training) this year, and that's why she's done so well," San Benito coach Danny de la Rosa said. "Last year was really her first year of running, and as a sophomore, she was not all that consistent (with her training). The miles took a toll on her.
"She's been putting in the miles day by day this year, and that's been the difference," he added. "With consistency, good things happen. I feel she can race with anybody."
When asked about her expectations of running at the state meet, Lopez said, "I'm very happy and excited to be going. If I could finish in the top 20, that would make me feel proud of myself."
Also headed to state from the Valley in the Class 5A girls division is PSJA Memorial's Gabriela Ortegon, who came in fourth at the regional meet. Other Valley girls advancing to state individually are Emily Perez of La Joya Juarez-Lincoln and Marissa Mata of Mercedes in Class 4A, plus Danielle Rodriguez and Thalia Polanco, both of Lyford, in Class 3A.
Perez, a three-time regional winner who took fifth at state one year ago as a junior, would appear to have the Valley's best chance to do well in Round Rock this season.
Edinburg High's girls, led by Yvonne Zerda and Laura Mendoza, placed third as a team at the Region IV-5A meet and are also advancing to state.
For the Valley boys, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln is advancing as a team in 4A after finishing third at the Region IV-4A meet. The Huskies are led by Joel Gracia, who placed ninth at regionals. Other Valley 4A boys competing at state are Valley View's Jose Delgado and Weslaco East's Jose Martinez. Advancing from the Valley for the boys in 5A are Los Fresnos' David Guillen and La Joya Palmview's Jose Jaime.
The lone Valley boy at state in 3A will be Port Isabel's Armando Fierro. Likewise, the only Class 1A runner from the Valley at state will be San Perlita's Andres Watson, who won his race at the regional meet. Watson is no stranger to the state medal podium, having finished third in the Class A 800 meters last May at the state track and field meet in Austin.
Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.
