It took a couple of busses to transport the combination Devine Warhorse and Arabian track athletes, coaches, and their equipment to Kingsville for the Regional Track Meet at Javelina Stadium. After stellar performances at the District Meet on April 5th and 6th, followed by more personal bests and outstanding results from the Area Meet at Poteet on April 19th, 30 Devine participants closed their successful track season by giving their best effort one last time.
Seniors Stephanie Campos and Jack Zimmerle get to continue their quest to have a gold medal placed around their neck when the State Meet commences May 11th. Campos punched her state ticket with a 2nd place finish in Discus, throwing the plate an even 127 feet to finish 4 inches behind winner Abigail Flores of Grulla. Campos’s 127’4” throw put her nearly 6 feet ahead of 3rd place finisher Leah Whittington of Cuero.
Zimmerle left no doubt that he would have one more meet to attend during his senior season by winning Shot Put with a personal best 52’3”. Second place Joseph Ian Torres of Port Isabel threw 51’5” to also qualify for Austin.
Heartbreak due to an injury hit 5-event Regional Qualifier Dillon Ricord. After smoking the competition regularly during the season, he pulled up late in the 100m dash finals with what proved to be a hamstring injury. Ricord qualified for the 100m dash running final with a preliminary time of 10.7, .27 ahead of 2nd qualifier Christian Avelar of Ingleside. His 100m dash preliminary time would have placed him 2nd in the finals heat. Dillon also had the best preliminary and overall time in the 200m dash (21.81) but the injury forced him to withdraw from the final racing event of his career.
The next closest Devine athletes that were within striking distance to qualify were sophomore Guido Zapata and seniors Jenna Sadler and Corben Boggs. Guido ran a personal best 15.03 in the 110m hurdles, finishing .04 behind 2nd place Cameron Kotek of Wimberley. Jenna took 3rd place in Shot Put with a throw of 38’5 ¾”, less than 2 feet behind Abigail Spurgin of Fredericksburg who wound up as the advancing qualifier. Corben finished 4th in Discus with a throw of 149’5”.
Individual results: Macie York-13th-100m dash-13.2; Maria Murillo-8th-3200m-12:25.64 and 8th-1600m-5:48.02; Jaylyn Stewart-9th-Pole Vault-8’6”; Maycee Howard-15th-Pole Vault-8’0”; Alissa Stehle-14th-Triple Jump-31’6 ¾”; Trent Laughlin-6th-110m hurdles-15.44; Guido Zapata-9th-300m hurdles-42.42; Dillon Ricord-12th-Triple Jump-40’5” and 12th-Long Jump-19’10”; Espi Mendoza-11th-800m dash-2:34.53; Sydney Rendon-15th-100m dash-13.20 and 13th-Long Jump-15’7”; Tori Martin-8th-Discus-108’9”; Jack Zimmerle-8th-Discus-139’7”.
Arabian 4x100m relay-9th-Dana Aaron, Macie York, Caroline Anderson, Sydney Rendon-51.90; 4x200m relay-15th-York, Aaron, Anderson, Rendon-1:52.50; 4x400m relay-Tayler Rice, Espi Mendoza, Harlie Walker, Anderson-13th-4:23.28.
Warhorse 4x200m relay-6th-Isaiah Oropeza, Guido Zapata, Luke Torres, Trent Laughlin-8th-1:34.19.
All competitors should be congratulated and commended for their excellent season. Devine continually produces top-notch track athletes that either point at district or advance to the Regional Meet and beyond. All should be proud of their outstanding accomplishments this past season. For the seniors who laced up their spikes one last time, job well done! You provided entertainment and enjoyment to those who watched you compete over the course of your high school career. Each can claim they were a part of a District Championship team. To next year’s returning track athletes, you have added your name to the great history that is Warhorse and Arabian track. You all have at least one more shot, maybe more, to continue to build on the accolades that you have already earned. Work tirelessly to be preparedwhen next year rolls around. Nothing can ever be taken for granted for you never know when your last race or competition may be.Good luck Stephanie and Jack!!!
By Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer