Sharyland teams highlight state track & field effort

AUSTIN — For all intents and purposes, the Sharyland Rattlers are still celebrating.

They’re hoping to carry that celebration through the weekend and well into the summer.

Sharyland achieved an unusual feat by Valley standards last week at the Region IV-5A track and field meet.

The Rattlers not only won the 400 relay and qualified for state. Sharyland also came in second in the 800 relay and is sending both relays to the UIL State Track and Field Championships this weekend at Myers Stadium in Austin.

The meet gets under way today and concludes Saturday with the Class 5A running finals.

For Sharyland head coach Tom Lee, sending two relays to state is something he’ll never forget.

“It’s a huge honor for us,” Lee said. “It’s been about 20 years since the Valley sent a sprint relay to state and it’s been about 20 years since the Valley won one at regionals.

“I hope this opens the doors for everyone else. And I hope the rest of the state sees that we can run down here in the Valley and we can compete.”

It’s been a special year for the Sharyland boys track team. After dominating all year, the Rattlers demolished the competition at the district meet winning more than handedly.

At regionals, the Rattlers came in second in the team points total with 48 points behind San Antonio East Central (72).

The Rattlers 800 relay set a new Valley record earlier in the season with a 1:27.84 and the sprint relays time of 42.32 at regionals also stands as a new Valley’s record when adjusted from FAT to handheld time.

Lee said his relays have been getting ready for this – their final race of the season – all year.

“We’re not just going to say we went,” Lee said. “We’re gonna go compete and hopefully set new PR’s. We’ve set some Valley records this year and hopefully we can build on those records.

“I know we’re going up against some of the fastest teams in Texas and who knows, maybe even the country. But the kids are taking it in stride and we’re prepared.”

The storylines are endless this track season as a record 23 Valley athletes qualified in 27 events.

Among the favorites is Rio Grande City thrower Alex Garza.

Garza won the Class 5A state title last year and after moving down to Class 4A, he’ll be looking for gold at a new level of competition.

If Garza can win gold in the shot, it’ll be Rio’s fourth straight state title in the shot put. Stephen Saenz won gold as a junior and senior in 2008 and 2009.

Harlingen hurdler Randy Bermea also enters the meet with high hopes.

Bermea has the second best time in the 300 hurdles with a 37.01 and is sitting with the third best time in the 110 hurdles at 14.08.

At regionals, Bermea knocked down a couple of hurdles before racing his way to gold in the 110’s. Bermea’s been chasing the Valley record of 36.55 all season. A good clean race could allow Bermea to capture the record, a medal or both at state.

Eladio Jaimez covers track and field for Valley Freedom Newspapers.

Valley state qualifiers

Class 5A

GIRLS

Corina Cox, Los Fresnos (discus)

Lauren Esparza, McAllen Memorial (shot put)

Madison Metsker-Galarza, Los Fresnos (800)

Leigha Brown, Edinburg Economedes (100 hurdles)

Zariah Noyola, Harlingen South (300 hurdles)

BOYS

Blake White, Harlingen South (pole vault)

Sharyland 400 relay

Sharyland 800 relay

Randy Bermea, Harlingen (110 and 300 hurdles)

RC Cervantes, Weslaco (400)

Class 4A

GIRLS

Deandra Barroso, Mercedes (long jump)

Emily Perez, LJ Juarez-Lincoln (3200 and 1600)

BOYS

Alex Garza, Rio Grande City (shot put and discus)

Orlando Oviedo, Rio Grande city (long and triple jump)

Zack Griffith, Edcouch-Elsa (high jump)

Jonas Gutierrez, Weslaco East (110 hurdles)

Andrew Espinoza, Hidalgo (400)

Class 3A

GIRLS

Danielle Rodriguez, La Feria (1600)

BOYS

Tony Jaramillo, Rio Hondo (800)

Armando Fiero, Port Isabel (3200)

Class 1A

GIRLS

Krystal Mata, La Villa (shot put)

BOYS

Andres Watson, San Perlita (800)

Steven Perez, La Villa (Shot put)