Several Burnet, Marble Falls track-and-field athletes advance to area meet

CAPTION: The top four finishers at the District 24-4A high jump include champion Jacque Contreras of Burnet (left), Jarrell’s Brooklyn Daniel, Burnet’s Wrigley Mulhollan, and Marble Falls’ Sadie Harris, who all advance to the District 23 and 24-4A area meet at Gatesville High School April 19. Courtesy photo

The Burnet and Marble Falls High School track-and-field teams are competing well at the District 24-4A meet, which began April 12.

The meet concludes Thursday, April 13, with the finals of the running events that start at 4 p.m. at Mustang Stadium on the MFHS campus.

Coaches at both high schools say they weren’t surprised by which of their athletes finished in the top four of their events to advance to the District 23 and 24-4A area meet, which is hosted by Gatesville High School April 19.

Lady Dawgs head coach Crystal Shipley summed up the sentiments of many of her counterparts.

“I can’t say I didn’t expect certain kids to advance because going in, that’s the goal and what we expect of them all,” she said. “Our girls found opportunities and stepped into open spots in field events and I can’t ask for more.” 

No team dominates the distance races like Burnet, which took six of the eight spots on the 3,200-meter podium. While senior Hudson Bennett sets the tone for this event, Shipley and Bulldogs head coach Ben Speer noted the University of Texas-bound runner has inspired those around him to see the possibilities. Bennett took silver behind teammate Victor Aviles, who won the race. Isaias Zarate finished fourth.

“This is what they’ve been doing all season,” Speer said. “No surprises here. Hudson has had to battle back to try to catch up with his teammates and he’s done a great job. Victor is the man to beat right now in the 3,200. We’re also tickled to death about Isaias Zarate and his fourth place finish. It’s gonna be fun watching these three compete again next week in area.”

Asah Roy won the girls race with teammates Shaelyn Poe and Autumn Stires also qualifying for the area meet.

“Kids like Hudson help spark the interest in the distance races,” Shipley said. “He has helped many see the possibilities and that it can be done. Asah Roy has brought a little spice on the girls side, pushing others like Autumn Stires and Kori Haile but adding another person to the mix. Move-in Shaelyn Poe just keeps getting better. We’ve really enjoyed how hard she works and has stepped in such a big role.”

The two Burnet head coaches also credit distance running coach Kristi Jones for the outstanding results in the 3,200 meters.

“That distance group is just a different ‘breed,’” Shipley said. “They work so hard for Coach Kristi Jones and she’s truly made it a place kids love and they love to work for her.”

“Coach Kristi Jones has done an amazing job with these boys,” Speer said.

Burnet’s Garner Krause won the high jump and teammate Grant Jones took gold in the triple jump and silver in the long jump.

“Grant went out and did Grant things,” Speer said. “Works his tail off and keeps every time out. He’ll have some good competition next week.”

Zaria Solis took bronze in the long jump and triple jump.

“Zaria is finally realizing that she’s pretty outstanding and plays a vital role in not only one but three sports for our Lady Dawg program,” Shipley said. “She’s developed so many leader qualities, and that makes her even more special. She is loved by her teammates and very much looked up to. She’s becoming a humble superstar, and it’s so cool to watch unfold.”  

Marble Falls sophomore thrower Kylie Roberts was the discus district champion and was third in the shot put. Burnet’s Kyleigh Mott took silver in the shot put.

“She was very impressive with the farthest distances she was able to go,” Marble Falls throwing coach Richard Scales said. “She wanted to continue to get better. She really wants to get to regionals.”

One key part of her training, he added, was emphasizing having fun while competing. To Scales, that may explain in part why Roberts was able to advance in both throwing events.

“We talk about having fun,” he said. “She enjoyed herself. She has the competitive side, which has allowed her to have fun while doing what she enjoys doing. She’s been able to do that all season.”

“Kylie advancing in the shot and disc was something she expected to do,” Marble Falls head coach Austin Silva said. “We all expected her to do so; I’m proud of her for taking care of business and advancing to area again this year.”

Joining Roberts at the area meet is Jeremiah Bales, who finished fourth in the shot put.

“I can honestly say he was really coachable,” Scales said. “He made a couple of minor adjustments that helped him (set a new personal record).”

Marble Falls junior Sadie Harris finished fourth in the high jump.

“I am so proud of Sadie for advancing to area in high jump,” Silva said. “That was the goal we set for her. She worked incredibly hard. We started her training earlier this year, committed to the weight room, and it ultimately paid off for her.”

Other notable Marble Falls finishers include freshman pole vaulter Kate McCary, who was third, Zach Woody, who was second in the triple jump and Jeremiah Bales, who was fourth in the shot put. All advance to the area meet. Junior varsity athletes Joaquin Aguilar won the boys triple jump and Parker Phillips won the high jump.

Burnet pole vaulters Brayden Hill and Brady Rygaard finished in the four to advance to the area meet.

“They were disappointed with their finishes,” Speer said. “However, … it’s about surviving and advancing and they did that. I’m confident they’ll get things squared away and expect them both to be back over 14 feet at Gatesville.” 

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RESULTS

District 24-4A meet at Marble Falls High School

BOYS

Varsity (top four in each event advance to the area meet)

3,200 — 1, Victor Aviles (Burnet), 9:44.11, 2, Hudson Bennett (Burnet), 9:44.11, 3, Tyler Hamblin (Marble Falls), 9:54.44, 4, Isaias Zarate (Burnet), 10:09.09 (new personal record); discus — 6, Jeremiah Bales (Marble Falls), 106-11, 8, Tyson Trim (Burnet), 99-10, 10, Luke Hudgins (Burnet), 92-1; 11, Jamie Castillo, 83-8 (new personal record), 12, Riley Edwards (Marble Falls), 79-7 (new personal record); high jump — 1, Garner Krause (Burnet), 5-10, 3, Riley Howell (Burnet), 5-10 (new personal record), 6, Richard Fletcher, 5-6; long jump — 2, Grant Jones (Burnet), 20-6.5, 7, Zach Woody (Marble Falls), 19-0.75, 9, Austin Cutchin (Marble Falls), 18-5, 10, Garner Krause (Burnet), 17-11.25; pole vault — 3, Brayden Hill (Burnet), 13-0, 4, Brady Rygaard (Burnet), 13-0, 5, Peyton Shirley (Burnet), 12-0; shot put — 4, Jeremiah Bales (Marble Falls), 39-5 (new personal record), 7, Aeden Harrison (Burnet), 35-10, 10, Nicholas Torres (Burnet), 34-2 (new personal record), 11, Riley Edwards (Marble Falls), 33-7 (new personal record), 13, Jaime Castillo (Marble Falls), 31-10 (new personal record); triple jump — 1, Grant Jones (Burnet), 44-0 (new personal record), 2, Zach Woody (Marble Falls), 41-3.25, 6, Isaac Laranaga (Marble Falls), 39-5 (new personal record), 7, Garner Krause (Burnet), 38-11 (new personal record), 10, Jasael Ruiz (Marble Falls) 36-5.75 (new personal record)

Junior Varsity

3,200 — 1, Hunter Holder (Marble Falls), 11:41.74 (new personal record), 2, Gustavk Vega (Burnet), 11:58.31, 3, Matthew Resendez (Burnet), 12:09.29 (new personal best), 4, Damyon Torres (Marble Falls), 12:09.29 (new personal best), 9, Malin Nelson (Marble Falls), 13:07.24 (new personal record), 12, Andrew Resendez (Burnet), 13:51.98 (new personal record); shot put — 3, Maverick Lawson (Marble Falls), 35-3, 4, Nathan Torres (Burnet), 34-4.5 (new personal record), 5, Kalvin Hubbard (Burnet), 33-11 (new personal record), 9, Noah Luckie (Marble Falls), 31-0.5 (new personal record), 10, Hershel Hawkins, 31-0 (new personal record); discus — 2, Maverick Lawson (Marble Falls), 106-8, 6, Brody Herman (Marble Falls), 90-3 (new personal record), 7, Kalvin Hubbard (Burnet), 86-8, 9, Noah Luckie (Marble Falls), 83-8 (new personal record), 10, Mason Calhoun (Burnet), 77-2 (new personal record); long jump — 2, Matthew Williams (Burnet), 18-4.5, 6, Demetrius Teliaferro (Burnet), 17-11.75 (new personal record), 7, Yoel Gutierrez (Marble Falls), 17-11.75 (new personal record); 9, Daniel Martinez (Burnet), 16-2; pole vault — 2, Aidan Bell (Burnet), 10-6 (new personal record), 7, Gregory Lemon (Marble Falls), 9-6 (new personal record), 8, Gage Keeton (Marble Falls), 8-6 (new personal record); triple jump — 1, Joaquin Aguilar (Marble Falls), 38-8.75 (new personal record), 5, Matthew Williams, 37-2.25, 6, Yoel Gutierrez (Marble Falls), 36-2 (new personal record), 7, Demetrius Taliaferro (Burnet), 35-4.25, 9, Daniel Martinez (Burnet), 34-0 (new personal record)

GIRLS

Varsity (top four in each event advance to the area meet)

3,200 — 1, Asah Roy (Burnet), 11:53.70, 2, Shaelyn Poe (Burnet), 12:42.63 (new personal record), 3, Autumn Stires (Burnet), 13:06.03; discus — 1, Kylie Roberts (Marble Falls), 106-8, 2, Kyleigh Mott (Burnet), 98-2, 6, Sandra Gonzalez (Marble Falls), 84-8, 7, Lexie Edwards (Marble Falls), 82-3, 9, Emma Collins (Burnet), 77-3 (new personal record), 10, Carlee Williams (Burnet), 75-6; high jump — 1, Jacque Contreras-Green (Burnet), 5-0, 3, Wrigley Mulhollan (Burnet), 5-0 (new personal record), 4, Sadie Harris (Marble Falls), 5-0 (new personal record); long jump — 3, Zaria Solis (Burnet), 15-4, 6, Abby Smith (Burnet), 14-8.5, 7 Jareyli Luna (Burnet), 14-7.5, 10, Kaley Smith (Marble Falls), 12-2.5 (new personal best); pole vault — 3, Katherine McCary (Marble Falls), 9-6 (new personal record); shot put — 2, Kyleigh Mott (Burnet), 31-4.5, 3, Kylie Roberts (Marble Falls), 31-1, 4, Trinity Collins (Burnet), 30-7, 6, Lexie Edwards (Masrble Falls), 29-5 (new personal record); triple jump — 3, Zaria Solis (Burnet), 32-7.25 (new personal best), 4, Grace Cullison (Burnet), 30-10 (new personal record),

Junior Varsity

3,200 — 1, Chloe Ellis (Marble Falls), 13:55.51, 2, Shelby Hudgins (Burnet), 14:07.99, 4, Amberlyn Glasscock (Burnet), 14:57.17 (new personal best), 5, Josie McDavid (Burnet), 15:09.86; shot put — 1, Cydney Robison (Burnet), 27-10, 3, Maddison Moise (Burnet), 26-0, 7, Landri Lewis (Burnet), 22-9.5 discus — 1, Brynlie Tappe (Burnet), 81-8 (new personal record), 2, Kasey Watson (Burnet), 75-10 (new personal record), 6, Kalani Marks (Burnet), 67-0; long jump — 1, Josie Teague (Burnet), 14-4 (new personal record), 4, Brogan Fox (Burnet), 13-9, 7, Idaly Suarez (Marble Falls), Idaly Suarez, 10-8.25 (new personal record); pole vault — 1, Sydney Killebrew (Burnet), 7-9; triple jump — 1, Brogan Fox (Burnet), 30-7, 6, Idaly Suarez (Marble Falls), 25-10.5