Although there were no team titles, there was overall success last week for Natalia at the 30-3A Track and Field Meet in Jourdanton. A total of 18 athletes were able to qualify for the Area Track and Field Meet, which will be held in Goliad on April 16th.
“I was very pleased with how well our kids competed at the district meet,” Coach Jason Reynolds said. “There wasn’t a single running event in the finals where our kids didn’t set a personal record and that was exciting. It is a testament to their hard work and dedication since we began this journey in January.”
Varsity Lady Mustangs
The Natalia Lady Mustangs combined for 57 team points, as they small but competitive group of athletes finished in 5th place. Jourdanton won the 30-3A title with 195 points, as Lytle finished in 2nd with 150. Cotulla (109) and Dilley (85) were able to finish ahead of the girls in blue.
Samantha Stallworth led the Lady Mustangs, as she was a stand-out in the 100 M. Hurdles and the 300 M. Hurdles. In the 100, she finished in 2nd place with a time of 19.21 which trailed Jourdanton’s Demario’s Jones-16.53.
In the 300, Stallworth finished in 2nd also with a time of 54.02, which trailed Jones who also finished with a 53.21.
Reagan Juarez was able to claim 5th in the 100 M. Hurdles with a time of 21.50. Juarez also claimed 5th in the 300 with a time of 1:00.75. Adriana Calvillo rounded things out in the 300 M. Hurdles for Natalia coming in 6th with a time of 1:08.76.
“Sam’s senior leadership played a vital role in our girls’ success this season,” Reynolds said. I am excited she will represent us in the 100 and 300 M. Hurdles at Area.”
The 4X100 M. Relay saw Natalia finish in 3rd place. Jourdanton won the event with a time of 51.74 as Lytle finished in 2nd with a time of 54.12. Natalia’s team was comprised of Angelica Padilla, Mariah Joseph, Christina Fulton and Stallworth as they finished with a time of 54.48.
In the 4X200 M. Relay, Natalia finished in 4th place with a time of 1:59.44. This team was comprised of Meg Martinez, Trista Vera, Sophia Padilla and Joseph. Jourdanton won the event with a time of 1:54.78 as Cotulla finished in 2nd-1:54.83 and Lytle in 3rd-1:57.28.
The 4X400 M. Relay saw Natalia finish in 2nd place thanks to a time of 4:42.43. This was included Martinez, A. Padilla, Fulton and S. Padilla. Lytle was able to win the event with a time of 4:31.81.
Varsity Mustangs
The Varsity Mustangs had their hands full in Jourdanton as the boys side of things was competitive from start to finish. The Stangs finished in 4th place as a team with 108 points as Jourdanton won the 30-3A title with 158 team points. Dilley finished with 118 as Cotulla claimed 3rd with 117. Lytle was the final squad with 104 team points.
Natalia won two individual 30-3A titles in individual events and that came in the 110 M. Hurdles and in the High Jump.
Jared Stallworth won the 110 M. Hurdles with a time of 17.04 to claim the first title, before finishing in 2nd place in the 300 M. Hurdles with a time of 43.90. Jourdanton’s Ortiz edged Stallworth in the 300 with a time of 43.16. Stallworth also won 6th in the Triple Jump with a mark of 37’2”. The top mark went to Lytle’s Thomas Dominguez with a 41’0”.
“I was proud of how Jared stepped up after coming into the finals sitting in 2nd in the 110 M. Hurdles,” Reynolds said.
In the High Jump, Marcus Perez won the event with a jump of 5’10” as Coltin Richardson finished in 6th for Natalia with a jump of 5’4”.
In the 100 M. Dash, Xavier Vasquez was able to finish in 5th place with a time of 11.39. Jourdanton’s Aidan Borth won the event with a time of 11.04.
Diego Zapata won 3rd in the 200 M. Dash with a time of 23.43. Borth won this event as well with a time of 22.85, as Lytle’s Dominguez claimed 2nd with a time of 23.07.
The 400 M. Dash saw Natalia’s Donavan Hawkins claim 4th with a time of 53.63. Cotulla’s Malachi Romez won the event with a time of 52.06.
“Donovan ran his season best in the 400 and placed 4th,” Reynolds said. “He has worked very hard to get to this point and I am excited for him to get to run at area.”
Julian Armendariz competed in the 800 M. Run and finished in 3rd place with a time of 2:05.30 as Christopher Flores finished in 4th for Natalia with a time of 2:06.90. Lytle’s Mark Cantu won the event with a time of 2:01.98.
“Julian and Chris ran a great time and personal bests in the 800 M. Run,” Reynolds said. “They worked extremely hard to get themselves a shot at area.”
In the Relay events, Natalia’s team of Jacob Jass, Vasquez, Hawkins and Zapata finished in 3rd place with a time of 45.63. Jourdanton won the event with a time of 44.57, as Cotulla won 2nd with a time of 44.81.
In the 4X200 M. Relay, Natalia’s team of Jass, Perez, Brad Martin and Vasquez won 3rd with a time of 1:36.50. Jourdanton also won this event with a time of 1:34.59 as Cotulla won 2nd with a time of 1:36.19.
The final Relay, the 4X400 M. Saw Natalia also win 3rd place thanks to the efforts of Hawkins, Armendariz, Stallworth and Zapata who finished with a 3:36.69. Cotulla won this event with a time of 3:35.03 as Dilley won 2nd with a time of 3:36.33.
“I was proud of the boys relay teams and how well they ran,” Reynolds said. “Each relay ran a personal best time and there was no doubt they left everything on the track.”
Moving on to the Field Events, X. Vasquez won 4th in the Long Jump with a mark of 18’10”. Zapata was on his heels with a mark of 18’5”. Dominguez of Lytle won the event with a mark of 20’5 1/2”.
In the Shot Put, Matthew Manka finished in 3rd place with a throw of 38’10 1/2”. Dilley’s Reyes won the event with a throw of 50’9”.
“Matthew earned his spot to area on his final attempt in the Shot,” Reynolds said. “He saved his best throw of the day for when he needed it most and I was proud of how he stepped up and accepted the challenge.”
Uriel Arellano won 2nd in the Discus event with a throw of 126’0”. Reyes of Dilley won the event with an impressive throw of 152’2”.
“Uriel has been consistent all season,” Reynolds said. “He came out and competed like he always does and finished in 2nd. He has a lot of potential and I am excited to see how he competes in area.”
All together, Natalia has 18 athletes who either finished or were a part of a relay who finished in the top 4 at the District 30-3A Meet. Best of luck to these athletes on April 16th in Goliad as they will compete against a very tough District 29-3A.
JV Lady Mustangs
Natalia was limited on #s in the JV division and finished in 5th place with only 4 team points. Dilley won the JV Girls division with 156 team points as Jourdanton won 2nd with 101.
Bailey Boucher was the lone Lady Mustang to medal, as she finished in 5th place in the 1600 M. Run with a time of 8:24.19. Lauryn Cardenas of Lytle won the event with a time of 6:37.68. She also finished in 5th place in the Shot Put with a throw of 22’1”. Emili Oliver of Lytle won this event with a throw of 27’4”.
JV Mustangs
Natalia’s JV Mustangs were able to earn 71 team points and finished in 5th place. Dilley won the JV division with 180 strong points, as Cotulla won 2nd with 134.
Adrian Vasquez was able to claim 2nd in the 100 M. Dash with a time of 11.95.
In the 200 M. Dash, Ryan Rico finished in 3rd place with a time of 25.13.
The 1600 M. Run saw Aiden Leal finish in 6th place with a time of 6:43.77. He also finished in 3rd in the 3200 M. Run with a time of 14:57.30.
The 4X100 M. Relay was comprised of A. Vasquez, Rico, Faelan Villarreal and Isaac Duenes as they finished in 3rd place with a time of 48.45.
The same team was able to finish in 2nd in the 4X200 M. Relay with a time of 1:43.00.
Michael Martinez was able to claim 4th in the Shot Put with a throw of 32’6” as Aubrey Cummings claimed 5th in the Discus with a throw of 87’6”.
By Eric Smith