Mustangs look forward to regional track meet
MARBLE FALLS — When examining district results of Class 4A Region IV Track and Field, the Marble Falls High School team isn’t fazed about Monday’s meet.
That’s because the Mustangs have used the last two weeks to work on their forms and technique.
Above all, they just want a chance to compete, knowing that one good vault, throw or time can get them to the state meet.
That was the case with former pole vaulter Ross Bingham and thrower Brandon Bible.
Just like this year, neither was in the top two in their events headed into the regional meet.
But on the day of their events, they performed well enough to finish in the top two and advance to state.
Knowing that history — and using Bingham’s pole — comforts junior Shiloh Reaves.
The pole he has now is heavier and longer than the one he used to finish second at the District 25-4A meet, where he cleared 12 feet two weeks ago.
Since then, he has cleared 13-0 using a pole that is 14-6 in length.
“I have to run faster and plant higher and everything else needs to stay the same,” Ribera said. “As long as my mark is on, it’ll work perfectly.”
Pole-vaulting coach Stephen Sanders said Ribera needed the bigger, longer pole in order to have a shot at clearing 13-6.
The top vaulter going into the meet is Oscar Longoria from New Braunfels Canyon, who cleared 14-0 at the District 27-4A meet. Parks McNeil of Kerrville Tivy and Kevin Floyd of Cibolo Steele each recorded vaults of 13-6.
Mustangs Senior Jesùs Manzano qualified for the 3,200-meter run with a time of 10 minutes 12.33 seconds.
He makes a return trip to regionals. Manzano is hoping experience will pay off this year.
“I’m not as nervous,” he said. “I remember the first time I didn’t know what to do. It’s a little bit more comfortable. I know what I’m going to do and how to prepare.”
He’s looking forward to the chance at competing and has used the extra time wisely, he said.
“Ever since I was little I’d run to places,” he said. “You’d always see me jogging. you have more time to prepare yourself mentally.”
Nathan Christianson of Boerne Champion posted a winning time of 9:33.10 in District 27. His teammate, Moses Luevano, was second in 9:49.80.
Senior Willie Nelson will compete in two events, the 110-high hurdles and the 300 hurdles.
He was second in the 110 hurdles in 15.29 seconds and third in the 300 hurdles in 41.37 seconds.
Billy Scott of Schertz Clemens has the fastest time at 12.20 seconds in the 110 hurdles, while Given McClure of Corpus Christi Calallen posted the quickest time at 39.96 seconds in the 300 hurdles.
Junior Cyril Lemon advanced to the regional meet as the first alternate in the shot put when Killeen’s Michael Cummings decided he wanted to concentrate fully on the discus.
Lemon threw 47-5 3/4 at the district meet but recorded a heave of 49-6 1/4 at the regional qualifiers meet.
He credits the district competition for preparing him for the regional meet.
On Wednesday, the junior had an even better workout, he said, where he threw 50-0 for the first time in practice.
Head coach Kyle Futrell said Lemon has a tendency “to try too hard” during meets.
Lemon agreed.
“When I think too much, I don’t throw well,” he said. “(On Wednesday) I didn’t think about my throws. When I don’t think, that’s what happens.”
David Lewis of Kingsville King has a throw of 56-6 1/2, while Francisco Brito of Corpus Christi Flour Bluff recorded a throw of 54-8.