Expectations run high for Valley state qualifiers

Expectations might be as high as ever for a Rio Grande Valley track & field contingent heading to the University Interscholastic League State meet.

There are five returning medalist and more than half of the 16 deep South Texas athletes competing in the state capitol beginning at 9 a.m. today at Mike A. Meyers Stadium have a legitimate shot at bringing home a state medal.

"Maybe in the early 1980s there were quite a few people that were running the 800, mile and two mile were at the state meet and winning it," said Carlos Vela, who was a longtime Valley track coach, last coaching at Sharyland. "Probably in 1990, '91 and '92 there were also quite a few state champions during that time from the Valley, also.

"This year there are five or six that have a good shot at finishing up in the top three. Compared to most years I would say this is the most."

Vela said he would not be surprised if this year's crop of state qualifiers produces gold.

Rio Grande City thrower Stephen Saenz, who broke Valley records in both the discus and the shot put, won silver in the shot put last year and has a chance at double medaling this year, perhaps even earn gold in both.

"Stephen might do better in the shot," Vela said. "The discus is a lot more technique but we have seen what he can do there. In both events, all it takes is one good throw."

His qualifying discus throw of 172 feet, 10 inches is the third best going into the meet but he is capable of throwing 204 feet, his Valley-best mark he garnered at the District 30-5A meet last month. The junior thrower has the best qualifying throw in the shot (67-6).

Mercedes' Alex Trevino, who came home in 2007 with a bronze in the Class 4A 200-meter run, can also finish a double medalist. Treviño is tied for the second best qualifying time in the 100-meter run (10.79) and has the fastest qualifying time in the 200 (21.41).

"I am a lot nervous this year because if I don't get anything I am going to get upset," Treviño said. "I know I am a junior but I want to win gold this year and next year."

Other '07 medalist returning to state this weekend are La Joya's 800-meter runner Oscar Garza, Weslaco's 400 runner Mishak Rivas and McAllen Memorial's Tricia Terry.

Rivas has the sixth best time in the e 400 (48.14) and Garza has the fourth fastest time (154.64) in the 800. Both won bronze last year.

Terry, who qualified for state in both the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs, entered the season as a favorite to possibly bring home gold in the mile run, an event she won silver in last year, but a foot injury has slowed her.

"It's still possible for me to win," said Terry, who has the sixth fastest qualifying time in the 3,200 and the seventh fastest time in the 1,600. "I'm taking a lot of Advil and I have been able to practice, it's crunch time."

Peter Rasmussen covers high school track & field for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.