Marble Falls tracksters eye regional competition
CAPTION: Marble Falls sophomore Graham Goggans is the runner to catch in the 800 meters and is looking for a trip to the Class 4A state meet, his first. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Marble Falls High School boys track and field runners have been using the last two weeks to fine-tune mechanics, form and steps all in an effort to perform at their best at the Class 4A Region III meet Friday and Saturday, May 1-2, at Bullard High School.
Sophomore Graham Goggans will compete in the 800 meters. He ran the fastest time in the state. At the District 23 and 24-4A area meet April 15, he finished in 1 minute and 53.83 seconds is the fastest in the state to win gold. But on his heels was China Spring sophomore Camden Paden, who finished in 1:54.97.
“The 800 was extremely close at area and I anticipate it will be the same at regionals,” Marble Falls head coach Austin Silva said. “Based on area times, our area has first and second in the region. So based on that, Graham looks pretty good going in. But we all know seed times don’t mean much once the race starts. Our priority this week has been making sure Graham understands that, keeping him focused and keeping him healthy. He remembers finishing fifth last year, so he’s had this meet circled ever since. He’s had a great two weeks of preparation, and we’re excited to watch him compete for a chance to go to state.”
“With the experience he gained last year and the growth he’s made this season, he’s ready,” distance running coach Brenda Gonzalez said. “He’s peaking at the right time. I expect him to compete with confidence and leave no doubt. I’m excited for him.”
When the area meet concluded, Silva, hurdlers coach Humberto Garza and junior hurdler Anthony Griffin committed to a cleaner race in the 110-meter high hurdles, which means not hitting a hurdle while racing. Even a tiny nick can add time, Silva said. He completed his area race in 15.23 seconds.
Sealy seniors Steven Schwartz and Elijah Sanders enter the event with the fastest and third fastest times in the region, 13.30 seconds and 13.96 respectively, at the District 21 and 22-4A area meet. Houston Worthing sophomore Avonte Earl clocked 13.88 at the District 19 and 20-4A area meet.
“Anthony has been really focused on those last three flights in his preparation for regionals,” he said. “I’ve been pleased with his execution and finish this week and last. Like we’ve seen in past, one clip can change the entire race, so our message to him has been to just focus on his race execution. Run a clean race. Don’t worry about everyone else. He understands now how important that is, so I am excited to watch him execute at regionals.”
Freshman Joaquim Edwards will compete in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, while junior Owen Martin will race in the 3,200. While other runners in these events have posted faster times, Silva said these Mustangs are planning to compete with all they have.
“Joaquim and Owen have had a great two weeks of preparation,” he said. “They’ve consistently hit their targeted times and are confident in their ability to hold the new pace required for them to advance. We had a conversation about it yesterday and they both are convinced they can. As a coach, you love seeing that level of belief in themselves. I’m excited to watch them push each other and compete for chance to advance.”
Gonzalez agrees.
“I don’t think Joaquim and Owen have been pushed to their full limits yet,” she said. “They’ve been training really well, and I’m expecting them to run big, brave races. I believe in both of them. They’re capable of making things interesting and going after an upset.”
Though Goggans qualified for the 400 meters, he and the coaches have chosen to concentrate fully on the 800, therefore, he won’t compete in the 400 meters. A Mustang who was on the 1,600-meter relay team had a scheduling conflict, so the Mustangs won’t compete in this event either.
CAPTION: Freshman Joaquim Edwards will make his Class 4A Region III meet debut by running in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Photos by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
