Marble Falls boys track sets records, advances to regionals
CAPTION: Head coach Austin Silva and the 1,600-meter relay team of Greg Colver, Gage Coleman, Connor Yaklin and Graham Goggans. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
Several Marble Falls High School boys track and field members earned the right to advance to the Class 4A Region III meet thanks to their finishes at the District 23 and 24-4A meet April 15.
They are sophomore Graham Goggans, juniors Gage Coleman, Greg Colver, Anthony Griffin, Owen Martin and Connor Yaklin, and freshman Joaquim Edwards.
Goggans took double gold in the 400 meters in 49.70 seconds and in the 800 meters in 1:53.83 and set new personal bests in each event.
“Graham wants to be the best in the state,” head coach Austin Silva said. “His work ethic, focus, competitiveness and confidence reflect that. With two big (personal records) at area, he’s putting himself in good position to do so. As coaches, our No. 1 priority is keeping him healthy so he can have a chance. Extremely proud of his PR performances once again, and we are excited to see him perform at regionals and beyond.”
Edwards finished fourth in the 1,600 meters in 4:39.10 and earned bronze in the 3,200 meters in 10:24.28.
“The thing that impresses me the most about Joaquim as a freshman is how methodical he is with his race strategy and then his ability to execute it,” Silva said. “That’s easier said than done, especially for a freshman. I don’t think I’ve ever had a freshman with his maturity level. Now, I will say he was a little surprised afterwards with how competitive everyone was with the pushing, shoving and boxing in. But I reminded him these are championship meets. It’s advance or go home. Everyone is trying to win. Proud of him for responding. He learned a lot at this meet.”
Martin was fourth in the 3,200 in 10:27.04.
“I can’t say enough about Owen’s growth this year,” Silva said. “I’ve mentioned it before, but to go from where he was last year to this year is incredible. And how he’s a regional qualifier. Can’t say enough about his commitment and trust in the process that got him here.”
CAPTION: Junior hurdler Anthony Griffin finished the 110-meter high hurdles strong to advance to the regional meet. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
To illustrate how competitive the 110-meter high hurdles were, consider this. The silver medalist, bronze medalist, fourth-place and fifth-place finishers were separated by no more than 0.04 of a second. And Griffin was fourth in 15.23 seconds, edging Lorena junior Kooper Gameson, who finished in 15.27 seconds.
“The 110s was an incredible race,” Silva said. “With a race as close as that, you’ve got to get over the hurdles clean. Execution is everything. One clip and you can easily go from first to fifth. Griffin looked good through seven. To me, it looked like he had a slight lead. Then he clipped (No.) 7 and that set him back to fourth. Proud of him for finishing strong and ultimately doing what he had to do to advance to regionals. We will definitely be focusing on those last three flights and his finish the next couple weeks. He knows it and is eager to clean it up.”
The 1,600-meter relay team of Greg Colver, Gage Coleman, Connor Yaklin and Goggans was fourth in 3:26.22 by setting a new personal record.
“First time Marble has had a boys relay advance to regionals in a decade I think,” Silva said. “And with all four guys coming back next year, they’ve already started talking about how much better it will be. In years past, we couldn’t even find four guys who wanted to run the (1,600 relay). This year we’ve actually had to tell kids no because it was already full. I am proud of the culture we are establishing and growing in our track program.”
The season ended for senior jumper Gregory Lemon, who was sixth in the triple jump with a leap of 40 feet and 4 inches, Colver’s run in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 40.69 seconds, and the 800-meter relay team of Lemon, Colver, Coleman and Branson Bunting, which crossed the finish line in 1:30.91. All three finishes were for sixth place.
Colver, who is a junior, set a new personal record.
“From not finishing the season last year, to finishing (in the) 40 in the 300 hurdles is nothing short of incredible,” Silva said. “Can’t say enough about his resolve and ability to bounce back. He’s already got his sights set on 39 next year.”
And though the relay team didn’t advance, the Mustangs broke the school record again.
“Although they finished sixth and didn’t advance, setting a new standard for our (800-meter relay) and getting their names on our record board is an incredible accomplishment,” Silva said.
The coach couldn’t commend Lemon enough.
“Want to thank Greg Lemon for everything he has given not only to our track program but our athletic program,” Silva said of the senior. “He was an integral part of our programs and the successes they had, and we are grateful for him and his commitment to Marble Falls athletics.”
The regional meet is May 1-2 at Bullard High School.
CAPTION: In his area debut, Marble Falls freshman Joaquim Edwards advances to regionals in two events. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
