Valley athletes battle during Day 2 of state meet
The Rio Grande Valley’s top 2A and 5A athletes took centerstage during Day 2 of the UIL state track and field championships, with more than half of the Valley’s 2024 qualifiers competing.
Day 2 of the state meet offered plenty of action, with some athletes making their state debut, to others competing for the last time in their high school careers.
Here’s a look at how some of the RGV’s competitors performed.
KAYCEI SALAZAR, JUNIOR, LA VILLA: No Valley athlete had a bigger night during the second day of the state meet than Salazar.
Last season Salazar was one of the RGV’s breakout stars at the state meet, capturing a gold medal in the Class 2A girls 1,600-meter run and a silver in the Class 2A girls 3,200-meter run.
The Cardinals’ distance runner advanced to the state meet in both events once again this year despite dealing with injury throughout the year.
Although Salazar didn’t medal in both events like last season, finishing fourth in the Class 2A girls 3,2000-meter run, the La Villa junior was the lone RGV athlete to reach the podium during Day 2 of the meet, taking the silver in the Class 2A girls 3,200-meter run.
Salazar caps her junior with three state medals under her belt, setting her up for a potentially big year to close out her career next season.
MIA PICAZO, SENIOR, SANTA MARIA: Picazo was one of four RGV athletes competing in multiple events during Day 2 of the state meet, advancing in Class 2A girls 800- and 1,600-meter runs.
The UTRGV signee narrowly missed out on podium finishes during both events, finishing fourth in each.
Picazo clocked in at 2 minutes, 20.14 seconds during the 800-meter run for fourth, just 0.96 seconds behind the third-place finisher.
In the 1,600-meter run, the Santa Maria distance runner finished in 5:20.06 for another fourth-place finish.
Picazo ends her career as a two-time state qualifier, with three fourth place finishes on her resume.
DANA ROJAS VAZQUEZ, JUNIOR, McALLEN HIGH: Rojas Vazquez needed a wildcard bid to get into this year’s state meet after finishing third in the 1,600-meter run during the regional meet.
The junior made the most of her state berth once in, however, coming in fifth in the Class 5A girls 1,600-meter run.
Rojas Vazquez ran her best race of the season during the state meet, setting a personal best of 5:00.51. The time beat her previous personal best of 5:03.25 set during the regional meet.
She should enter next season as one of the top ranked distance runners not only in the RGV, but in Class 5A after a strong junior year.
ANGEL RODRIGUEZ, SOPHOMORE, SHARYLAND PIONEER: After showing promise as a freshman, Rodriguez made his state debut one year later.
The Diamondbacks sophomore was the lone RGV athlete to qualify in both a field and running event this season, getting to state in the Class 5A long jump and the Class 5A 800-meter run.
Rodriguez opened his state debut with a sixth-place finish in the 5A boys long jump, recording his best jump on his fifth attempt of the day (21-04.75).
He capped his state debut by coming in eighth in the 5A boys 800-meter run with a time of 49.68 seconds, just short of a personal best.
The bar is raised for Rodriguez heading into his junior year, establishing himself as one of the RGV’s top returning track and field athletes next season.
KRISTOPHER PEREZ, JUNIOR, EDINBURG VELA: Perez got into state for a second straight year as a wildcard after finishing third at regionals once again.
A wildcard berth and an injury to his throwing hand couldn’t hold him back from improving from last year’s state placement, finishing in sixth in the Class 5A boys shot put.
Perez’s best mark came on his third attempt of the morning, recording a mark of 54-09.75.
The Sabercats thrower is hoping third time is a charm heading into his senior year, eyeing a third straight state meet appearance and a possible podium finish to close out his career.
MARCELA TREVINO, SENIOR, PSJA SOUTHWEST: It was an eventful week for Trevino. On Monday, the PSJA Southwest thrower officially became an NCAA DI athlete, signing her letter of intent to continue her career at the University of Houston.
Wednesday, she practiced as a Javelina for the last time in her career in preparation for her final competition this weekend.
She wrapped up her high school career Friday, coming in fifth in the Class 5A girls discus.
Trevino’s fifth-place finish improved from last year’s sixth place mark in the same event, earning the spot with a throw of 134-08 on her final attempt of the day.
Up next is a throwing career with the Cougars beginning in the fall.
The 2024 UIL state track and field championships is set to wrap up Saturday with Class 1A and 6A competitors.
Four competitors will look to add to the RGV’s state medal count during the meet, including 2023 state champion San Juanita Leal.