Valley athletes ready to make big splash at state meet

AUSTIN — Technically, this isn’t Zariah Noyola’s first trip to the UIL State Track and Field Championships.

A couple of years ago, Harlingen South head coach Dolores Cruz brought the then-freshman Noyola to Myers Stadium to watch then-senior Kassandra Larios compete in the 100-meter hurdles.

Noyola, already making a name for herself early in that season, missed the remainder of 2008 when she dislocated her hip playing soccer.

But Cruz knew that bringing Noyola to state would be a good move.

And a couple of years later, Noyola’s back.

Only this time she’s competing.

Noyola will compete in the Class 5A 300-meter hurdles a week and a half after setting a new Valley record by running a 43.80 at regionals in San Antonio.

Noyola highlights a strong contingent from the Valley with aspirations of returning home state champions.

The state meet gets under way today and Saturday.

“I felt she would be a big asset to the program,” Cruz said of Noyola. She got to see then what goes on at state and I’m glad she did. She got to see that hard work these athletes put in and I think it gave her more of an incentive to push herself and work harder to get to that next level.”

For PSJA Memorial distance runner Gabriela Salazar, getting to state has been four years in the making.

Salazar has competed at the state cross country meet all four years and will run at Texas A&M University in the fall.

But getting to the state meet was something that had eluded her until last week in San Antonio when she won both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs in 11:14 and 5:10 respectively.

Salazar said the road to state hasn’t been easy but now that’s she’s here, it do or die.

“I’ve been more focused this season,” he said. “I’ve changed my attitude. I think I’m more mature. It’s going to be tough but I know that if I qualified I can run with these girls. I can’t let nerves get the best of me and it’s just a matter of believing in yourself.”

Other Valley athletes to look at include McAllen Memorial’s Jake Garza.

The Mustangs’ sophomore will run in the 110 and 300 hurdles. He set a regional record last week with a 14.1 in the 110s during the prelims.

He ran under 38 for the first time ever in the threes to qualify in second place with a time of 37.73.

McAllen sprinter Nick Garza will return to Austin in the 400 meter dash. Last year he qualified as the regional runner up and bested that last week winning the regional title.

Rio Grande City’s Alex Garza will look to make it three-for-three and win Rio its third straight state title in the shot put.

Former Rattler thrower Stephen Saenz won gold as a junior and senior and now it’s Garza’s turn to carry the torch.

Garza won the regional title with a throw of 62-0 ½. Garza will also compete in the discus.

Harlingen pole vaulter Tyler Jackson won the regional title also clearing 15-0 but has cleared 15-6 this season.

Jackson is aiming for the Valley record and if he clears a 16-3, he could medal.

San Benito’s Tina Valenzuela will compete in the long jump and 100 hurdles.

But a good jump in the long could put her on the medal stand on Saturday.

She jumped a new best of 18-8 ½ in San Antonio last week.

Eladio Jaimez covers track and field for Valley Freedom Newspapers.