Bulldog Relays is a big draw for the area’s top athletes
Track and field enthusiasts will gather at Bunet’s Bulldog Field to cheer on the area’s best athletes in that sport on Thursday, March 24.
The meet begins at noon at Bulldog Field, 1400 Bulldog Stadium Drive.
The meet will draw teams from Marble Falls and Copperas Cove and from Burnet’s 19-4A district: Lake Belton, Lampasas, Salado and Taylor.
The events to keep an eye on in the boys division are the distance races featuring athletes who competed at cross country state meets in the fall. The Marble Falls Mustangs have done well in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters.
The top athlete at the meet is Burnet junior Hudson Bennett, the reigning Class 4A state champion in the 3,200 meters and a state bronze medalist in the 1,600 meters. He was fifth at the Class 4A cross country meet, finishing the 3.2-mile race in 15 minutes and 56 seconds.
Bennett will compete in tip-top shape after placing 17th in the 1,600 meters of the Texas Distance Festival March 19 in 4:15.75. The meet, which was hosted by Southlake Carroll High School, drew more than 500 athletes.
But Bennett isn’t the only Bulldog to watch, according to head coach Ben Speer. Sophomore Grant Jones, who competes in the maximum five events, and the 4×100-meter and 4×200-meter relay teams of Lew Laidler, Micah Evers, Grant Glidewell and Grant Jones will surely bring fans to their feet.
All but Jones play baseball, and they will make the relays competitive, Speer said.
“Especially if we get those baseball guys there,” he said of the other three.
In the girls division, head coach Crystal Shipley said there are too many superb athletes to name .
“I think our kids all deserve a shout-out and can shock the community at any moment,” she said.
Some will be competing in the Texas Relays this weekend and add will miss the Burnet Relays. They are Jacquelyn Contreras Green in the high jump and the 4×400-meter relay team of Camryn Courtney, Danielle Oakley, Addie Houston and Molly McPherson.
“All of them have been competing well, and we will miss seeing them compete in their other events at our home meet,” the coach said. “Even missing some girls, our 4×100-meter and 4×200-meter relays will be competitive with some new faces. I expect some big things from several of our girls this week. The junior varsity is showing out and competing so well. I’m very proud of them and know they will continue that this week.”
Shipley summed up the thoughts of every coaching staff, noting all coaches are coaching athletes in their events, regardless of gender.
“As Coach Speer (has) said, I am thankful for this group of coaches, especially while basketball was going on,” Shipley said. “The guys’ side pulled me through by stepping in and helping with the girls’ side in many events. It’s been a great team effort for sure.”
Watch videos on Highland Lakes sports on Fierro’s YouTube channel by searching for The Broad Podcaster.
