The Natalia Mustang Varsity Track and Field team won what is believed to be the first team non-district championship since possibly the 1980s last Thursday in Frio County. Natalia combined for 148 team points, to edge 2nd place Carrizo Springs (124) and 3rd place Pearsall (118).
Despite just three individual gold medals, Natalia was able to win one Gold in the 400X400.M Relay event en route to the team title.
“The Varsity Mustangs did extremely well in Pearsall,” Natalia Head Track and Field Coach Jason Reynolds said. “I was very happy with how they competed and finished in every event.”
Other team finishes included Antonia’s (69), Crystal City (52), Cotulla (26), Dilley and Pearsall White.
Jared Stallworth was one of two Mustangs to win the gold in an individual event. He did so in the 300 M. Hurdles as he used a time of 43.65 to defeat the competition.
Natalia’s Juelian Armendariz was also able to win the gold in the 800 M. Run. He used a time of 2:11.68 to do so.
In the final individual gold medal award, Natalia’s Marcus Perez snagged the top finish in the High Jump with a jump of 5’10”.
The 4X400 M. Relay team comprised of Evy Curial, Brad Martin, Armendariz and Diego Zapata won the gold thanks to an impressive time of 3:51.94.
Other Finishes: 100 M. Dash: Jacob Jass 3rd place-11.66, Zapata 4th place 11.78. 200 M. Dash: Perez 3rd place-24.40, Ryan Juarez 6th place-25.09. 400 M. Dash: Curial 5th place-56.75. 800 M. Run: Christopher Flores 2nd place-2:13.46, Isaac Rios 3rd place-2:35.99. 1600 M. Run: Rios 6th place-5:38.06. 3200 M. Run: Rios 5th place-13:22.30. 110 M. Hurdles: Oscar Martinez 3rd place-18.00, Stallworth 5th place-31.42. 300 M. Hurdles: Martinez 3rd place-44.00. 4X100 M. Relay: Jass, Xavier Vasquez, Juarez and Zapata 2nd place-45.96. 4X200 M. Relay: Juarez, Jass, Vasquez, Martin 3rd place-1:39.28. Long Jump: Zapata 3rd place-18’11 1/2”, Vasquez 6th place-17’9”. Discus: Uriel Arellano 2nd place-122’9”, Matthew Billalobos 5th place-101’6” and Jeremiah Gomez 6th place-96’1 1/2”.
“To go and win the very first meet of the season is a huge accomplishment for us as a team,” Coach Reynolds said. “Our track team represented our school and community extremely well and we are ready to get back to work for our next meet.”
Varsity Lady Mustangs
Due to Powerlifting and Softball, the girls in blue were not at full strength last week in Frio County. Natalia managed to finish in 7th out of 8 teams in attendance snagging 16 team points.
Winning the Lady Maverick Relays was Carrizo Springs (220 points) followed by Pearsall (207), Antonia’s (31), Cotulla (26), Crystal City (24) and Dilley (23).
“The girls ran extremely well with most only having one day of practice due to the basketball season and playoffs,” Coach Jason Reynolds said. “I am excited to see our full team compete this week in Jourdanton.”
Sam Stallworth led the way for the Lady Stangs, as she was able to place in two events. In the 100 M. Hurdles, she finished in 5th place with a time of 20.09. In the Long Jump, she finished in 6th place with a mark of 12’10”.
Meg Martinez was the final Lady Mustang to place as an individual. This freshman did so in the Triple Jump with a mark of 24’10” good enough for 6th place.
Natalia’s 4X100 M. Relay team was able to finish in 3rd place. The team of Martinez, Stallworth Cynthia Perez and Tina Fulton finished with a time of 57.34.
Upcoming Meet
Natalia’s JV and Varsity teams travel to Jourdanton this Friday for the Tri-County Relays at Indian Stadium. The NJH Track and Field team will also compete in Jourdanton, on Thursday at 4:00 pm.
By Eric Smith