Devine’s Warhorse and Arabian track athletes wrapped up another successful season in Kingsville at the Region 4-4A Meet. While several posted season-best or personal-best times, senior Quintin “Guido” Zapata was the lone representative to advance to the State Meet in Austin on May 10-11.
“I was extremely proud of the effort from the girls on the relays,” stated Head Coach Lon Cozby. “It’s a big deal to make finals in our region due to the quality of competition. The girls stepped up to the challenge while also having to overcome some illness’s along the way.”
Many seniors donned their maroon and gold track uniform for the final time as a Warhorse or Arabian athlete.
Donavon Camacho, Grant Collins, Tristan Ortiz, Dakota Wofford, Brady Cardenas, Aaron Terrazas and manager Dylan Aguirre were members of numerous District, Area, and regular season invitational track meets over the course of the last four years for the Warhorses.
Mari Murillo, Alissa Stehle, Dana Aaron, Andrea Gomez, and Harlie Walker won several meets and individual events throughout their Arabian track careers. All of these seniors, plus the ones who did not qualify at the district or area meets left a lasting legacy for future generations to emulate.
State Qualifier
Guido Zapata on his Regional performance—While getting into my blocks, I was extremely nervous. I just kept thinking about how hard I had worked for this one race. After that initial nervousness, everything fell into place.
When I cleared the last hurdle and the finish line, I could not believe I was in first place. Whenever I saw my posted time, it felt like a dream. I am extremely excited to complete at the state track meet because there it is anyone’s race and who knows what can happen.
I want like to thank my family and friends for all their support as well as Coach Khera Vay and Coach Lon Cozby who made it all possible.
Coach Cozby on Guido—Guido, what do you say??? FAST!!! He has worked so hard for 6 years for this moment. He finished 3rd, 2nd, and now 1st the past 3 years at Regional in the 110m Hurdles. His hard work and determination not only got him 1st with a huge PR at 14.2, but he is sitting 1st overall in State 4A going into the final meet. His previous best was 14.38
Warhorse results (P-Preliminary Heat/F-Final Heat): 110m Hurdles—1F-Guido Zapata-14.22 (1P-14.49) 300m Hurdles—6F-40.43 (5P-40.98) Shot Put—5F-Tristan Ortiz-49’3” Discus—10F-Dakota Wofford-138’2” High Jump—12F-Brady Cardenas-5’8” Long Jump—12F-Justin Contreras-19’5” Pole Vault—7F-Jacob Featherly-12’6” 200m—15P-Isaiah Oropeza-23.98 400m Dash—11P-Donavon Camacho-52.68, 15P-Jayce Hackebeil-53.51
4x100m Relay—11P-Grant Collins, Camacho, Zapata, Brady Hackebeil-44.05 4x400m Relay—11P-Camacho, B. Hackebeil, J. Hackebeil, Collins-3:32.43.
Arabian results (P-Preliminary Heat/F-Final Heat): 1600m Run—14F-Mari Murillo-5:59.09 Discus—8F-Analea Brooks-112’6” Triple Jump—12F-Alissa Stehle-32’7¾” 200m Dash—11P-Aaliya Terrazas-27.46 300m Hurdles—16P-Kennedy Duncan-52.95 4x200m Relay—8F-Stehle, Terrazas, Dana Aaron, Harlie Walker-1:49.19 (8F-1:48.78) 4x400m Relay—8F-Gomez, Aaron, Espi Mendoza, Harlie Walker-4:19.64 (7P-4:11.01).
By Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer