Going into the Region III meet at Waco’s Midway High School this weekend, first year Tiger track coach Chris Van Cleave says this year’s trip to McClennan County is all about staying focused.
“We are focusing on giving these kids a great experience,” Van Cleave said. “I believe it’s the first time any of these kids have ever competed at the regional meet. “But it’s all about being focused, knowing what we are there to do, but having a good t i m e t h i s weeke n d . We are t r y i n g to be crisp on hand-offs, make sure we have fresh legs and also be full of confidence.” Rockdale’s sprint relay team made up of Robert Owens, Tristan Galvan, Timothy Grice and Kobe Mitchell has the second best time (43.31) in the region going into Waco. The only team with a better time is Franklin (42.68), who they saw last week in their area meet at Tiger Stadium. That same group of runners also has the fourth best time in the 4x200-meter relay.
Grice, a freshman, has the region’s top time (21.89) in the 200-meter dash heading into regionals and junior Yovanney Delgadillo has the second best mile time behind Cameron’s Nathan Evans who he has gone up against multiple times this season.
Van Cleave also said that he expects sophomore Wyatt Windham, who won bronze in the high jump with a 6-0, to make some noise. He also noted that Mitchell is the only senior heading to regionals this year.
“Kobe has really stepped up this year for our young team.” Van Cleave said.
Competition times for RHS athletes can be found in the chart on Page 2B.
AREA— Rockdale athletes starte d of f hot with Lady Tiger freshman T’Niyah Miles earning a third place finish in the shot put with a 34-6 3/4 while Windham earned his bronze in the high jump. Delgadillo also took home his first of two silver medals of the day in the 3200-meter run with a time of 10:36.21. However, Tiger runners hit their stride during the running event portion of area. Rockdale’s sprint relay team placed second behind a tough Franklin squad that featured a few of their players from their state champion football team. RHS was forced to add in Galvan after a member of the Tiger relay team was deemed academically ineligible. Despite the last second change, the team was able to knock .26 seconds off of their race time.
A similar thing happened in the 4x200-meter relay with Mitchell filling in. Rockdale was able to advance in the race with a time of 1:31.5 and a fourth place finish thanks to Grice pushing the Blue-and-Gold into the top four on the final leg. They improved their time by more than a half of a second in the two weeks between district and area.
In addition to his both of his silver medals, Grice won gold in the 200-meter dash with a season best of 21.89, improving from his 22.67 that helped him win the race two weeks before at the district meet. Gal van also picked up his third medal of the meet in the 200, taking home bronze with a time of 23.65.
Owens will also get to compete in three events at the regional meet. The RHS junior placed fourth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.65.
OTHER—In addition to their seven regional qualifiers, RHS had four other athletes place at area.
Julie Bartsch placed sixth in the shot put and Ciara Miles placed eighth in the 100-meter dash. Lady Tiger senior Ivanna Luna-Hernandez placed seventh in the mile in her final high school track meet. Gavin Aguilar also competed in the shot put for the Tigers and placed sixth.
2021 regional qualifier Jesus Bocanegra was unable to compete at the area meet despite qualifying after being hit in the head with a pop fly while playing in a Tiger baseball game two days before.
REGIONALS— F o r those wanting to attend the regional meet, tickets can be purchased online at midwayisd.org.
MHS/THS—Milano and Thorndale High School athletes will also compete at regionals this weekend, with both schools heading to Javelina Stadium in Kingsville for the Region IV meet.
For those interested in attending, tickets are only available online at javelinatickets.universitytickets.com.
Times and events for athletes are in the table to the right.
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