Local Athletes headed to Nike Nationals in New York!

A talented group of track athletes from Devine, Hondo, and Lytle are preparing to compete on one of the biggest stages in high school track and field the Nike National Track Meet in New York City.
The four athletes have qualified as a 4×400 relay team, an impressive accomplishment that brings together runners from multiple schools and showcases the strength of small-town athletics across the area. The team includes Twister Kluth (Hondo, sophomore), Rowdy Esparza (Devine, junior), Ryan Weinkam (Devine, senior), and Sebastian Garcia (Lytle, junior).
Rowdy and Ryan both run with Devine Speed, and later joined forces with Twister and Sebastian who run with Tri-County Track & Field Club to form the 4×400 relay team, a collaboration that has proven successful at the national-qualifying level.
In addition to qualifying with the relay team, Rowdy has also earned individual qualifications in the triple jump, long jump, and the 400-meter dash, giving him the opportunity to compete in multiple events at the national meet.
As the boys prepare for the trip to New York, they have been overwhelmed by the support from their communities. Local businesses, families, and supporters from Devine, Hondo, and Lytle have stepped up by sponsoring, donating drawing items, purchasing tickets, and helping spread the word to help cover travel expenses.
The team is currently holding a drawing featuring over $2,000 in prizes, and tickets are still available. The athletes will be selling tickets at Market Place in Devine all day on Saturday, March 7th. The drawing will take place on Sunday, March 8, at 3:00 p.m., and winners do not need to be present to win.
As these young athletes get ready to represent their hometowns on a national stage, they do so with pride and with the support of an entire community behind them.