Hurdles run in the genes for the Noyola family

HARLINGEN - A track meet doesn't go by where someone doesn't ask Harlingen South's Zariah Noyola the same question: "Are you related to Harvey Noyola?"

Zariah answers politely, "Yes, he's my uncle."

Harvey made a name for himself as a hurdler for the Harlingen Cardinals in the late 1980s.

As a senior in 1987, Noyola ran a 36.55 in the 300-meter hurdles to set a Valley record. That record still stands today and now his niece, Zariah, is making a name for herself as one of the top 300 hurdlers in the Valley.

Zariah ran a 45.72 in the 300 hurdles at district a couple of weeks ago. It was a new personal best for Zariah and stands as the second-best time in the Valley this season.

Zariah's time is even 1.5 seconds off the Valley record held by Rio Grande City's Sabrina Montalvo (44.23).

The Lady Hawks sophomore has looked impressive all season despite missing some meets because she was playing soccer.

But while others around the Valley might be surprised by Zariah's success in the 300 hurdles, Harvey isn't.

Harvey first worked with Zariah during summer track following Zariah's seventh grade year.

"There's usually a fear factor when you're starting the hurdles because you don't want to hit it," said Noyola, the head boys coach at Harlingen.

"With her there was no fear factor. She cleared that first hurdle with no problem. She was really confident. We started with the 100 then we moved to the 300 by the time she was in eighth grade. She picked it up naturally."

It must be the genes.

As a senior, Harvey entered the regional meet very confident that he could advance to state.

At regionals, Noyola finished third to Austin LBJ's Ralph Carrington (first) and Converse Judson's Eric Jones (second). Harvey clipped the final hurdle to come in third.

In a bittersweet moment as the three hurdlers later that day found out that their three times were the second, third and fourth best times in the nation that season. So despite being the fourth-ranked hurdler in the country that season, Harvey didn't make it to state.

"When I started doing the hurdles I started hearing about what he (Harvey) did in high school and college," Zariah said. "I didn't know about it before. I think it's great. He's always helped me out."

Today Harvey still recalls that race more than 20 years ago. But his new focus is now on his Cardinals...and Zariah.

"I think she knows enough about it," Harvey said of Zariah's knowledge of his track past.

"We were at a meet in Brownsville not too long ago and she'd just competed in the high jump, triple, 100 hurdles and 800 relay. She was wiped. She had no legs. She was tired but I told her you're a Noyola. You gotta live up to it. And she did. She has been."

Zariah will be headed to the Region IV-5A track meet on Friday and will compete in the high and triple jumps along with the 100 and 300 hurdles.

"The 300 is her event," Harvey said. "If she does what she did at district, she can make it into the finals. I would like her to get that experience of running in the finals. Once you're in the finals, anything can happen."

Zariah missed track season last year after dislocating her hip during soccer. But the sophomore is ready to make her first trip to San Antonio a memorable one.

"I'm just going to give it my all and push it up there," Zariah said.

And if they have some free time, Harvey and Zariah can always hang out and talk a little track or talk smack about each other's school.

"He always tells me that I would look better in red and white," Zariah said with a smile. "We like to poke fun at each other. And we always seem to talk about track when we get together."

Harvey said talking smack is part of the love they have for each other as uncle and niece.

"I wish she was a Cardinal," Harvey said. "But she loves being a Hawk. And I'm glad she has the same passion and pride for her school like I have for mine."

Eladio Jaimez cover track & field for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at eladioj@valleystar.com or at 956-430-6285