Terry, as always, motivated for strong finish at state

McALLEN — Running is in Tricia Terry’s blood. But when it comes to competing at the state level Saturday morning all that matters to the McAllen Memorial junior standout is placing at the event — not her final time.

“I want to get top 10,” she said. “I want to do better than 16th place this year and get a medal.”

Even though she’s just a junior, Terry has competed at the regional and state level the past two years. Terry started competing in races between ages 7 and 8, when her father John noticed her speed.

Terry, however, isn’t the only one in the family with a running background. Her father and his two brothers ran in college. Because of her father’s background, Terry has become addicted to the sport.

With her father’s encouragement — passing by at nights on his motorcycle as she runs on the track at McAllen Memorial — and by him attending almost every meet since her freshman season, Terry has become one of the top long distance runners in the Rio Grande Valley.

“My dad told me what cross country was because I didn’t really know about it,” she recalled. “When I started my freshman year I thought ‘Whoa, it’s running and I’m good at it.’”

Her work ethic and determination have helped Terry reach the state championship meet once again.

Last year the Lady Mustangs’ standout placed 16th with a time of 11 minutes, 31 seconds.

Terry looks at the final time, however, and says there’s room for improvement this Saturday.

Terry’s plan of attack for her latest trip to state will be going light, keeping her legs rested and remaining focused.

And she’s hoping that will lead to a big payoff in Round Rock.

“A lot of athletes have talent, but a lot don’t take advantage of it,” Memorial coach Noel Valero said. “Tricia takes full advantage of it.”

When Terry took first place at the District 30-5A meet in the 2-mile run two weeks ago, it was more of an expectation rather than an achievement. Terry always has her eyes on regionals and state.

Last week at the regional meet in San Antonio, Terry placed second.

“It wasn’t good because I won last year,” she admitted. “We will get them at state.”

Even if it doesn’t all go as planned at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, all won’t be lost for Terry. It will be her third time competing at the state meet, but the Memorial junior likely will have one more attempt at her ultimate goal — a state gold medal — next year.

“She’s a very determined person,” her father said. “She’s persistent and likes to succeed and not to fail.”