Participating in an area meet is getting to be old hat for many of this year’s qualifying Warhorse and Arabian track athletes. Over half of the thirty-one advancing Devine track members are returning to the meet in hopes of qualifying for Regional in Kingsville on April 27-28. Both squads captured their respective district championships in Crystal City on April 11-12. The Warhorses scored a team high 194.5 points while the Arabians accumulated 176.
Several of 16 Warhorse and 15 Arabian qualifiers commented on what competing in this meet means to them.
Javi Lopez, senior, Pole Vault, “This year is my 4th year on varsity as a Warhorse pole vaulter. Since seventh grade through this season, it has been my best year by winning the gold medal at every meet. I am proud to be advancing to the Area meet as the district champion.”
Marques Burford-Zawahreh, senior, Discus, “I am excited about making it to Area in my first and only year of throwing the discus. My main goal is to make it to State, but I have to make it to Regional first. I still have a lot of time to practice.”
Brady Cardenas, junior, High Jump, “I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am excited to compete against better athletes and I think I can shock some people.”
Andrea Gomez, junior, 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m relays, “I am looking forward to getting first place in all of the relays because we have all worked so hard. My goal is to exceed my previous best times.”
Brady Harrell, junior, 110m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, “With the Area meet, I am most excited to compete against hurdlers that I have never competed against before. I am also extremely excited to see former Warhorse track hurdler Trent Laughlin who will be coming down from Tarleton to watch us compete (#HurdleFam)”.
Dakota Wofford, junior, Discus, “This year has been great with all of the hard work. My goal is to go out and compete my personal best.”
Espi Mendoza, sophomore, 400m, 800m, 4x400m Relay, “My goals for the meet are to advance to Regional and to achieve a new PR (personal record). Even though I do not believe that I have a good chance of making it out, I believe and have confidence that I can make it out because it’s anyone’s race.
I am going to run my heart out; I want to make it out as a team for the mile relay. It has been a rough/tough season and this is where the hard work pays off. We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort!”
Jacob Featherly, freshman, Pole Vault, “I’m excited for making it this far. I hope that I will qualify for Regional. It is very nerve-racking competing in this meet as a freshman.”
Tristan Ortiz, junior, Shot Put, “I am looking forward to competing against other good throwers and am trying to get better overall. My goal is to hit 45’ and make it to Regional.”
Tanner Hardcastle, junior, Shot Put, “My goal for Area is to throw 45’ and advance to Regional. I cannot wait for the meet to get here, lately that is all I think about. I am ready for the opportunity to try to fulfill my goal.”
Bri Bowyer, freshman, Pole Vault, “At the beginning of the season, I got off to a bad start but that just made me more determined to push harder to be the best of my ability. Putting in all the work that I need to achieve my goals, I am going into Area with more confidence than ever.”
Kaylah Hollembeak, freshman, Pole Vault, “As an 8th grader last year clearing 6’ at district, I never thought I would be going to Area reaching past my goal of 8’ on varsity as a freshman. That doesn’t mean that I am satisfied as I hope to get a new personal record of 9’ and advance to Regional!”
By Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer