Marble Falls track continues improving with days left before district meet

CAPTION: Anthony Griffin continues to shine in the hurdles for the Mustangs as he adds gold from the Burnet Bulldog Relays in the 110-meter high hurdles. Photos by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

One week remains before the District 24-4A Track and Field Championships, and the Marble Falls High School program is using the last few days of preparation wisely.

The Mustangs and Lady Mustangs will travel north to compete at the Lampasas Badger Relays Thursday, March 27.

But before the program enjoyed its spring break last week, the athletes competed at the Burnet Bulldog Relays March 13.

Mustangs head coach Austin Silva and Lady Mustangs head coach Brenda Gonzalez both said they are pleased with the progress of their athletes in multiple events.

Top of the list are the sprinters.

Their times are dropping, and they’re getting their finishes are better. That speaks well for what’s coming in the fall as many athletes will compete in other sports.

“As a track program, I believe your goal is to be competitive in every event,” Silva said. “Not just certain events. In years past our field event performances stood out, then it was our distance performances. And so we are at a point in our program where we are trying to get every event to stand out in terms of competitiveness, and our sprinters have done a great job so far of doing that.”

One great example of that is the performance of hurdler Anthony Griffin.

He continues to impress in the hurdles as he took gold in the 110-meter high hurdles and finished fifth in the 300-meter hurdles. But the races featured other talented hurdlers on district teams, who don’t make it easy to win.

“Our performance in the hurdles kind of goes back to our goal as a track program – to be competitive in every event,” Silva said. “All our coaches and athletes have done a great job of answering that call. In the past, hurdles were not an event we had much success in. We identified that and made a point to try and change it. So far we have.”

Joaquin Aguilar finished fourth in the long jump, which is a testament to his character and talent, Silva said.

“Can’t praise Joaquin enough for his competitive spirit,” Silva said. “He played all 90 minutes on our varsity soccer team, turns around and always competes in the 4×1 (relay) and 100, and instead of being satisfied, adds a 20-foot long jump to his resume. Proud of him and his commitment to not only our track program but to our athletic program as a whole.”

Tyler Hamblin returned to the starting the line and didn’t disappoint in the 1,600 meters.

“Tyler’s been a little banged up this year,” Silva said. “He had to miss (the Taylor Duck Relays March 6) because of it and so for him to finish second in the mile and come out healthy was huge. I’m convinced you will see the top finishers in our district make it to state.”

The Mustangs continue to work on the relays, and Silva pointed out that “handoffs can always be better and something we will fix,” which is a task most track coaches continue to address throughout the season.

He “feels pretty good” about the 400-meter relay because of the runners’ “competitiveness and having the right guys on it.” So now it’s about getting the 800-meter and 1,600-meter relays at a point where they’re competing at the same level.

“We have about seven guys who are more than capable of being competitive on our 4×4,” he said. “We have a chance to see them all compete in it this year, so the next two weeks will be about finding out who the four will be. Our 4×2 remains a question mark and something we will continue to tweak until we get the right guys on it.”

On the girls side, thrower Kylie Roberts earned double gold in the shot put and discus thanks to “substantial winning margins.”

“Her consistency and technical improvements are paying off, and winning by such large margins is a great confidence boost for her,” Gonzalez said. “Right now, the focus is on refining her technique and maintaining steady progress. Ideally, I’d like to see her face some strong competition before district to test her response under pressure. Regardless, I’m extremely proud of her continued success and excited to see her growth in the coming weeks.”

Gonzalez said she has “seven dedicated athletes who have been working hard and improving each week.”

“With a small group, I have the flexibility to move them around in different events to find what suits them best, setting them up for success at district and beyond,” she added.

That includes Nashla Crott, who set new personal records in the 100 and 400 meters.

“Nashla had a fantastic meet,” Gonzalez said. “This was her first time competing in the 400 meters at the high school level, and she stepped up to the challenge with determination.”

Kenadie Cotton set a new personal best in the 100 meters that shows “she’s gaining confidence and refining her speed with each race.”

Kelsey Cude set a new personal record in the 100-meter hurdles and competed in the 300-meters for the first time.

Freshman Sofia Sanchez “continues to impress” by setting new personal bests in all three sprint races.

“(Cude is) embracing new challenges and getting stronger every meet,” Gonzalez said. “(Sanchez is) showing great promise, and I’m excited to see her growth throughout her high school career.”

The coach noted lone middle-distance runner Chloe Ellis, who suffered “a minor setback” that forced her to miss the Taylor Duck Relays, returned to the track at Burnet and performed well.

CAPTION: Kylie Roberts wears the two gold medals she earned for winning the shot put and discus throwing events at the Burnet Bulldog Relays. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

RESULTS

Burnet Bulldog Relays

BOYS

Varsity

100 – 1, Noah Crawford (Burnet), 11.70, 4, Braxton Ringstaff (Burnet), 11.88, 5, Derek Gonzalez (Marble Falls), 11.91, 10, Kaden Langbein (Marble Falls), 12.06; 200 – 2, Derek Gonzalez (Marble Falls), 23.31, 6, Matthew Williams (Burnet), 23.73, 7, David Prather (Burnet), 23.73, 9, Caden Farmer (Burnet), 23.94; 400 – 1, Hector Vega (Burnet), 52.28, 5, Charles Edwards (Burnet), 54.11, 7, Connor Yaklin (Marble Falls), 54.78, 8, Gage Coleman (Marble Falls), 54.78, Josh Hoenig (Marble Falls), 56.03; 800 – 1, Victor Aviles (Burnet), 2:02.35, 2, Isaias Zarate (Burnet), 2:02.78, 4, Jovanny Ramirez (Burnet), 2:06.02, 7, Brazos White (Marble Falls), 2:10.58, 9, Connor Yaklin (Marble Falls), 2:10.86; 1,600 – 2, Tyler Hamblin (Marble Falls), 4:31.73, 3, Victor Aviles (Burnet), 4:34.18, 8, Clark Yanez (Burnet), 5:01.32, 9, Owen Martin (Marble Falls), 5:06.97; 3,200 – 1, Victor Aviles (Burnet), 9:46.86, 6, Clark Yanez (Burnet), 10:50.82, 7, Owen Martin (Marble Falls), 11:21.90, 8, Gustavo Vega (Burnet), 11:30.56; 110 hurdles – 1, Anthony Griffin (Marble Falls), 16.48, 3, Peyton Lopez (Burnet), 17.88; 300 hurdles – 5, Anthony Griffin (Marble Falls), 46.87; 4×100 – 1, Burnet, 43.49, 3, Marble Falls, 44.57; 4×200 – 1, Burnet, 1:30.80, 4, Marble Falls, 1:38.07; 4×400 – 1, Burnet, 3:33.06, 4, Marble Falls, 3:42; high jump – 6, David Prather (Burnet), 5-8; long jump – 4, Joaquin Aguilar (Marble Falls), 20-2.75, 5, Matthew Williams (Burnet), 19-9.5, 6, David Prather (Burnet), 19-8.25, 6, Gregory Lemon (Marble Falls), 19-2.5, 10, Derek Gonzalez (Marble Falls), 18-6.75; triple jump – 3, David Prather (Burnet), 39-6.5, 5, Matthew Williams, 38-10, 7, Jalen Rogiers (Marble Falls), 36-9, 8, Anthony Griffin (Marble Falls), 36-7.5, 9, Derek Gonzalez (Marble Falls), 36-7; pole vault – 6, Gregory Lemon (Marble Falls),9-6; discus – 6, Logan Chapa (Marble Falls), 102-7, 7, L.T. Gurganus (Marble Falls), 98-4, 8, Kalvin Hubbard (Burnet), 97-7, 10, Mason Roberts (Burnet), 87-10.5; shot put – 2, Tyler Leverett (Marble Falls), 40-10, Logan Chapa (Marble Falls), 36-11, 8, Kaleb Bielfeldt (Marble Falls), 34-2.5

Junior varsity

100 – 2, Brody Graham (Marble Falls), 12.05, 3, Wesley Thiel (Burnet), 12.21, 6, Tyler Barrios (Burnet), 12.33, 7, Gladen Smith (Marble Falls), 12.36, 8, Rayden Skinner (Marble Falls), 12.42, 9, Thomas Butler (Burnet), 12.52; 200 – 3, Adler Goehring (Marble Falls), 24.76, 6, Wesley Thiel (Burnet), 25.22, 7, Jace Williams (Marble Falls), 25.63, 7, Landon Campbell (Marble Falls), 25.64, 10 Bentley Trejo (Marble Falls), 25.66; 400 – 1, Logan Hargraves (Marble Falls), 55.30, 8, Michael Dowles (Burnet), 59.38, 9, Christopher Hernandez (Burnet), 59.77; 800 – 4, Andrew Resendez (Burnet), 2:16.85, 7, Matthew Resendez (Burnet), 2:20.16, 8, Christopher Hernandez (Burnet), 2:20.84; 1,600 – 2, Logan Hargraves (Marble Falls), 5:05.82, 3, Austin Moore (Burnet), 5:07.41, 4, Adan Carreon (Burnet), 5:15.98, 7, Matthew Resendez (Burnet), 5:45.33, 10, Santiago Gaytan (Marble Falls), 5:59.57; 3,200 – 3, Austin Moore (Burnet), 11:30.36, 4, Adan Carreon (Burnet), 11:30.83, 7, Andrew Resendez (Burnet), 12:48.70, 9, Santiago Gaytan (Marble Falls), 13:17.54; 110 hurdles – 1, Addison Proctor (Burnet), 17.87, 2, Hunter Bailey (Burnet), 18.36, 3, Zackary Reynolds (Marble Falls), 19.05; 300 hurdles – 2, Addison Proctor (Burnet), 45.72, 4, Hunter Bailey (Burnet), 46.89, 5, Zackary Reynolds (Marble Falls), 46.96; 4×100 – 1, Burnet, 44.56, 3, Marble Falls, 46.83; 4×200 – 1, Burnet, 1:34.07, 2, Marble Falls, 1:39.96; 4×400 – 1, Burnet, 3:45.02, 4, Marble Falls, 3:59.83; high jump – 2, Rayden Skinner (Marble Falls), 5-6, 3, Cohen Jorpeland (Burnet), 5-6, 4, Carlos Alvarez (Marble Falls), 5-4, 4, Landon Campbell (Marble Falls), 5-4, 7, Elijah Pickens (Burnet), 5-4; long jump – 3, Bentley Trejo (Marble Falls), 18-3.5, 5, Thomas Butler (Burnet), 17-10.5, 6, Austin Evans (Burnet), 17-8.75, 7, Michael Dowles (Burnet), 16-6, 10, Noah Walker (Marble Falls), 14-11; triple jump – 2, Bentley Trejo (Marble Falls), 35-11.5; pole vault – 3, Rhett Eaton (Burnet), 10-6, 4, Gladen Smith (Marble Falls), 10-0; discus – 3, Andres Hernandez (Burnet), 93-7, 5, Anthony Slanina (Marble Falls), 86-10, 6, David Molina (Marble Falls), 84-2, 9, Modesto Jaimes (Marble Falls), 78-10; shot put – 3, Mason Calhoun (Burnet), 34-9, 6, Jaxson Bales (Marble Falls), 32-6, 7, David Molina (Marble Falls), 32-0.25

GIRLS

Varsity

100 – 7, Sarah Cullison (Burnet), 13.76, 8, Grace Cullison (Burnet), 13.77, 9, Nashla Crott (Marble Falls), 13.79 10, Kenadie Cotton (Marble Falls), 13.90; 200 – 3, Brooklynn Daniel (Burnet), 27.69, 4, Brogan Fox (Burnet), 28.06 5, Nashla Crott (Marble Falls), 28.07, 6, Cheyenne Adams (Burnet), 28.29; 400 – 4, Camryn Courtney (Burnet), 1:02.63, 8, Nashla Crott (Marble Falls), 1:05.68, 9, Sofia Sanchez (Marble Falls), 1:08.17; 800 – 2, Asah Roy (Burnet), 2:28.22, 10, Chloe Ellis (Marble Falls), 2:46.05; 1,600 – 4, Asah Roy (Burnet), 5:42.42, 7, Chloe Ellis (Marble Falls), 6:13.64; 100 hurdles – 4, Brooklynn Daniel (Burnet), 17.11, 5, Wrigley Mulhollan (Burnet), 17.63, 6, Brianne Hudgins (Burnet), 17.77, 10 Kelsey Cude (Marble Falls), 19.13; 300 hurdles – 7, Wrigley Mulhollan (Burnet), 50.65, 8, Brianne Hudgins (Burnet), 51.57; 4×100 – 3, Burnet, 53.08; 4×200 – 3, Burnet, 1:48.79; 4×400 – 2, Burnet, 4:07.35; high jump – 4, Lacie Lewis (Burnet), 4-10, 5, Brooklynn Daniel (Burnet), 4-10, 7, Wrigley Mulhollan (Burnet), 4-8; long jump – 5, Cheyenne Adams (Burnet), 15-5.75, 5, Journey Denton (Burnet), 15-5.75, 10, Kalora McDonnell (Burnet), 14-8; triple jump – 3, Brianne Hudgins (Burnet), 32-4, 7, Brogan Fox (Burnet), 31-4, 8, Sarah Cullison (Burnet), 30-3.25; pole vault – 2, Lacie Lewis (Burnet), 8-0; discus – 1, Kylie Roberts (Marble Falls), 108-8, 5, Landri Lewis (Burnet), 70-9, 6, Kalani Marks (Burnet), 61-10; shot put – 1, Kylie Roberts (Marble Falls), 34-2.75, 3, Landri Lewis (Burnet), 27-5.5, 5, Sofia Cardinas (Burnet), 24-2.5

Junior varsity

100 – 1, Kenley Virdell (Marble Falls), 13.88, 2, Molly Cupitt (Burnet), 13.97, 6, Jill Cole (Marble Falls), 14.32, 7, Adrian Eubank (Burnet), 14.41, 8, Kayla Delval (Burnet), 14.56; 200 – 3, Jill Cole (Marble Falls), 29.54, 4, Maycee Floyd (Burnet), 29.55, 5, Kenley Virdell (Marble Falls), 29.58, 6, Savannah Myers (Burnet), 29.68; 400 – 1, Leslie Camacho (Burnet), 1:08.67, 3, Amaria Schmidt (Burnet), 1:11.38, 5, Cazlynn Guthrie (Burnet), 1:14.28, 6, Allison Ramirez (Marble Falls), 1:15.75; 800 – 2, Brooklynn Dawes (Burnet), 2:48.30, 5, Cazlynn Guthrie (Burnet), 2:58.49, 6, Josie McDavid (Burnet), 2:58.68, 7, Hadalye Hernandez (Marble Falls), 3:02.60; 1,600 – 1, Marigny Griffin (Burnet), 6:47.18, 3, Josie McDavid (Burnet), 7:06.24, 4, Hadalye Hernandez (Marble Falls), 7:06.26, 6, Jaylee Messer (Burnet), 7:46.09; 100 hurdles – 1, Hayden McCombs (Burnet), 18.21, 2, Addie Milam (Burnet), 19.41; 300 hurdles – 2, Kayleigh Briggs (Burnet), 53.33, 3, Addie Milam (Burnet), 54.12; 4×100 – 1, Burnet, 53.46, 3, Marble Falls, 55.50; 4×200 – 1, Burnet, 1:55.59, 3, Marble Falls, 1:57.47; 4×400 – 2, Burnet, 4:35.85; high jump – 1, Cazlynn Guthrie (Burnet), 4-8, 2, Kayla Delval (Burnet), 4-8, 3, Brooklynn Dawes (Burnet), 4-6, 4, Paige Jamail (Marble Falls), 4-4; long jump – 1, Molly Cupitt (Burnet), 15-1.25, 2, Adrian Eubank (Burnet), 14-7.25, 8, Hayden McCombs (Burnet), 11-11.5; triple jump – 2, Brooklynn Dawes (Burnet), 29-9, 5, Caydence Bielfeldt (Marble Falls), 25-7.5; discus – 4, Kate Dykes (Marble Falls), 72-5, 5, Ella Hillman (Marble Falls), 64-8, 6, Payton Brandt (Burnet), 8, Jenna Taylor (Burnet), 58-0; shot put – 4, Ella Hillman (Marble Falls), 26-7, 7, Kate Dykes (Marble Falls), 23-7