Mercedes athletes can’t wait to get to Austin

Deandra Barroso didn't think she would get much sleep Wednesday night. Mercedes' freshmen long jumper said she's way too excited about her drive to Austin today for any shut-eye.

Barroso is one of three Mercedes athletes that will compete in the University Interscholastic League State track & field meet Friday and Saturday in the state capitol.

"Well yeah, it will be a little tough to sleep," said Barroso, who qualified for state in the long jump with a regional-winning mark of 17 feet, 11 1/2 inches two weeks ago.

Joining her at state will be Tigers reigning 200-meter dash state bronze medalist Alex Treviño and 1,600-meter runner Alex De La Garza.

Both De La Garza and Treviño are well known names in local track while Barroso is new to the limelight.

"It is pretty fun to have people write about me," she said. "It feels pretty good to get noticed for all your hard work.

"I owe a lot to my coaches for making me work hard, and to the trainers who took care of all my aches and pains."

Barroso's male counterparts have butterflies for different reasons. De La Garza and Treviño are no strangers to state competition but both admit the pressure is different.

De La Garza, who won regionals in the 1,600 with a time of 4 minutes, 16.88 seconds, has competed at the state Cross Country for three consecutive years but said it does not compare to his first trip to the state track meet this weekend.

"It's real different," the junior distance runner said. "It's a lot faster and the atmosphere is a little more intense. It's not like cross country, running throw the woods and trees. People can actually see what you are doing."

De La Garza has always been one of the top distance runners in the Valley, and he said he thinks he can finally shine outside of deep South Texas.

"I am looking to medal," said De La Garza. "It's good motivation to go up there with teammates. We all do different things, but it feels good to look over and see someone sprinting and someone jumping, preparing for state just like you."

Treviño said he is anxious to run this weekend, adding he might be more nervous than last year because of the expectations. This year he will compete in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. He owns the valley record in the 100 (10.23), which he set at the District 32-4A meet last month.

Treviño is tied for the second best qualifying time in the 100 (10.79) and has the fastest qualifying time in the 200 (21.41).
"I just can't wait to get out there," Trevino said. "I feel like I have to go out there and perform my best."

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