Marble Falls track’s Goggans reflects on state silver medal

CAPTION: Marble Falls Junior Graham Goggans holds out his arms as he crosses the finish line to claim second place in the 800 meters. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

Marble Falls High School junior runner Graham Goggans entered the Class 4A state meet May 14 as one of the favorites to medal.

And he delivered by taking silver in 1 minute and 55.20 seconds.

“I thought I did really well,” he said. “I know it was a little hot outside, a little windy. I think we all did pretty well. I think everyone gave their best effort.”

The outcome wasn’t decided until the final 200 meters when Dallas Carter junior Charles Anderson sprinted to the front. Goggans had led for much of the two-lap race.

But the Mustang displayed the tough lesson he learned at the Class 4A Region III meet two weeks earlier.

“That first lap, I went out in 53 (seconds),” Goggans said about regionals. “I went out too fast. So I remember the lesson there. And then at practice, I tried to run more even splits and kind of pictured my first lap to go around 55 (seconds), 56 (seconds), and that’s what I ended up doing at state.”

The plan, according to Mustangs head coach Austin Silva and distance running coach Brenda Gonzalez, was to be more deliberate with energy and time in the first lap. He finished it in 55.74 seconds.

And what made that important is because he began the race in lane nine then was able to move to lane one after the “breakline” or first 100 meters. Gonzalez said Goggans had to merge without getting “stuck in the back” and indicated he was flawless in doing that.

Goggans said practices were all about balancing the two laps so the times mirrored one another.

“I always like to lead,” he said. “Because I was in lane nine — lane nine is not a great lane to be in — I just wanted to get out there. I didn’t mind being in the pack. I know some people at state usually go out really fast. I was prepared for anything. But when I crossed over, nobody else really fought me for the lead, and I didn’t mind taking it. I like to lead to because I feel that I’m in control of the race. It makes me feel like I can create distance from everyone else so they can’t catch me.”

“The strategy was to slow that first lap down so he could have a stronger finish,” Silva said. “And he executed perfectly.”

The Mustang held off the two regional runners who beat him – Salado junior Daniel Anderson and China Spring sophomore Camden Paden as runners made their way to the finish line.

“Daniel and Camden, they both were right behind me there,” Goggans said. “And I think (Charles Anderson) just came out with his kick, and I think I did as best I could have, and I’m really happy. I’m ready for next year.”

“Very proud of Graham’s execution and ability to bounce back after the third place regional finish,” Silva said. 

As he was leaving the podium, both coaches said the runner told them he was turning his attention to next year.

“Being a state silver medalist as a sophomore is an incredible accomplishment,” Silva said. “After the hugs and pictures were done, he immediately turned his attention to next year and said, ‘I’m getting gold next year,’ so I’m excited to see his growth this off season and already looking forward to his junior campaign.” 

“Getting second place was good,” Goggans said. “Cause it keeps me hungry for next year. I’m ready to put in the work, and I’m glad to see how it was because I’m just a sophomore. And I have many more years to come. I think next year, I can do it for sure.”

CAPTION: Junior Graham Goggans with his 800-meter silver medal in t minute and 55.20 seconds. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography