Marble Falls’ Cuplin aims to finish in top two in four regional events

CAPTION: Junior Madison Cuplin has the Class 4A Region III’s best marks both the long jump and triple jump. She is looking to add more to her trophy case and return to the Class 4A state meet in both events. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

Marble Falls High School junior Madison Cuplin is returning to the Class 4A Region III meet for the third time and is looking for a return trip to the Class 4A state meet.

The regional meet is Friday and Saturday, May 1-2, at Bullard High School.

Last season she captured double gold in the long jump and triple jump to advance to the state meet but finished seventh and sixth in the 100 and 200 meters.

The junior enters the long jump and triple jump with the best marks in the region and is looking to add two more regional titles to her trophy case. She won the District 23 and 24-4A area titles with a long jump of 19 feet and 11 inches and a triple jump of 41-9.

Other regional triple jumpers are in the 37s and the long jumpers are in the 18s.

“The jumps are really Maddie’s bread and butter,” head coach Brenda Gonzalez said. “She loves competing in those events. You can see her growth and confidence continue to build each season. Her mindset is to dominate and keep improving, and I’m excited to see her go out there and compete. She’s ready to fly.”

Cuplin also enters her running events with the fastest times. Gonzalez pointed out there’s more to sprinting than what the naked eye sees.

“Speed is obviously a huge part of sprinting, but it’s not just about raw speed,” she said. “It’s about mechanics, efficiency and the ability to hold top speed as long as possible. The best sprinters also have that extra gear – they know how to stay composed, execute under pressure, and find another level when it matters most. That comes with experience and understanding the sport.”

Mere 10ths of a second separate the Lady Mustang from the field in the 100 meters.

“The start is important in the 100 — it sets the tone — but it doesn’t determine the race,” Gonzalez said. “What really matters is maintaining great mechanics and running all the way through the line. The start and the finish both come down to focus and execution. Maddie is very disciplined in those areas. She’s a competitor, and this will likely be her closest race yet, but I believe in her ability to execute and rise to the moment. I’m excited to watch her compete.”

The 200 has a little more space with no one other than Cuplin running in under 24 seconds. Still, the Lady Mustang is preparing to get the region’s best.

“She’s put herself in a position where she’s the one to catch,” the coach said. “But regardless of times on paper, she knows she still has to go out and execute. She’s been peaking at the right time and thriving in these moments. I expect her to compete at a high level and finish strong.”

Cuplin has won medals in just about every Texas high school meet she has competed in this year. She also has performed well at the state and national levels.

Last year, she earned a bronze medal at the Class 4A state meet in the long jump with a mark of 18-6 and was fifth in the triple jump with a leap of 39-1.5.

Gonzalez, who also serves as the distance running coach, will keep eyes on sophomore Graham Goggans in the 800 meters, junior Owen Martin in the 3,200 meters, and freshman Joaquim Edwards in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters.

“Overall, I have tremendous belief in our athletes,” she said. “We’re not going to regionals just to participate – we’re going to compete. I know they’ll show up ready. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

CAPTION: In what most believe will be the sprinting race of the Class 4A Region III meet, Marble Falls junior Madison Cuplin enters with the best time. But she is bracing for the other runners to post their best times, too. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography