HS Track & Field: Track Events Finish And Allow Athletes To Prepare for Area

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- After heated preliminary runs under humid conditions on Wednesday, the 13-6A athletes and schools entered the finals on Thursday intending to make the cut for Area.

Even with numerous cuts made to ensure the best available runners were competing in the finals, waves of athletes were still participating to make the top four spots. So many athletes were involved that multiple heats had to be created for certain events to allow all of those who made it past preliminaries to take part.

Despite the cramped lanes for some events, every athlete gave their all in the hopes of making it into the top four finishers. With a spot in the top four, they will punch their ticket to the upcoming Area Championships with more glory on the line.

Here are the top four finishers and qualifiers from the final day of action at the 13-6A District Championships:

Girls 4x100m Relay:
1st: The Woodlands
2nd: Conroe
3rd: College Park
4th: Grand Oaks

Boys 4x100m Relay:
1st: The Woodlands
2nd: Conroe
3rd: Grand Oaks
4th: College Park

Girls 800m:
1st: Daramisi Odelowo (The Woodlands)
2nd: Vanessa Vezga (The Woodlands)
3rd: Lauren Alpha (The Woodlands)
4th: Zoe Norman (College Park)

A seven-second difference between Odelowo and the rest of the field highlighted the sheer speed she was working with despite the intense competition behind her. Even multiple heats of runners trying at different times could not overcome the speed and stamina on display from Odelowo.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Odelowo discussed the involvement and push felt through all of the competitors who were gunning for her position.

“All of the ladies here did an amazing job, and you can feel everybody pushing each other and trying their best to get a great time,” said Odelowo. “That’s what makes this such a great field, because of just how talented everyone is. Everyone did a great job, and I’m super thankful for how we race.”

Boys 800m:
1st: Heath Grant (Willis)
2nd: Camden Gibson (College Park)
3rd: Alastair Edmond (The Woodlands)
4th: Kaden Barney (College Park)

Girls 100m Hurdles:
1st: Graycen Rabel (The Woodlands)
2nd: Valentina Tinajero-Lesser (The Woodlands)
3rd: Sara Johnson (The Woodlands)
4th: Nina Dumlao (College Park)

Boys 110m Hurdles:
1st: Jesse Natale (The Woodlands)
2nd: Chadrich Robinson (New Caney)
3rd: Owen Neves (The Woodlands)
4th: Lane Lager (College Park)

Girls 100m:
1st: Treasure Simmons (The Woodlands)
2nd: McKenna Griffin (Conroe)
3rd: Shi’eana Hall (College Park)
4th: Reagan Washington (College Park)

Boys 100m:
1st: Kalin Elliott (Conroe)
2nd: Tyler Williams (College Park)
3rd: LeAnderay Collins II (Grand Oaks)
4th: Mikel Harrison (The Woodlands)

Intense speed near the finish line saw a two-horse race to the bitter end that was scrapped out by a strong-legged Elliott by .01 seconds. With his family in the stands, Elliott knew he had to see the race through to prove his strengths as the district’s best sprinter.

“All I was thinking was, ‘Push.’ Trying to make my mama and grandma proud,” explained Elliott. “That’s all it was. I just went all into it. I had to want it more than anybody else did.”

Girls 4x200m Relay:
1st: Conroe
2nd: The Woodlands
3rd: College Park
4th: Grand Oaks

Boys 4x200m Relay:
1st: The Woodlands
2nd: Grand Oaks
3rd: Conroe
4th: Oak Ridge

Girls 400m:
1st: Eva Lantagne (Conroe)
2nd: Sabrinah Booker (The Woodlands)
3rd: Derielle Levy (Conroe)
4th: Lotus Scrutchin (Oak Ridge)

Lantagne’s spot at the top of the 400m run was no surprise to those who have been following the multi-discipline, multi-sport athlete. An ace pitcher on the Lady Tiger softball team and a participant in Tuesday’s field events, Lantagne has openly demonstrated her talents that will carry her into the Area Championships and deep into the softball season.

“I love to compete, and so I just really enjoy getting out and pushing myself to do anything,” said Lantagne. “I’m also very appreciative of the opportunity to do both. I want to take every chance I can and do my best in them.”

Boys 400m:
1st: Heath Grant (Willis)
2nd: Christian Witcher (Grand Oaks)
3rd: Dylan Walker (Grand Oaks)
4th: Vincent Crabtree (The Woodlands)

Grant’s performance of a near two-second lead against the pack rewarded him and Willis with multiple long-distance running medals. A previously earned gold medal for the 800m run was simply another addition to the list of accolades racked up by the Wildkat runner who knew concentration was his key.

“I just focus on my form during the race,” said Grant. “I try not to worry about anybody else and just run a nice race.”

Girls 300m Hurdles:
1st: Graycen Rabel (The Woodlands)
2nd: Valentina Tinajero-Lesser (The Woodlands)
3rd: Nina Dumlao (College Park)
4th: Sara Johnson (The Woodlands)

Boys 300m Hurdles:
1st: Jesse Natale (The Woodlands)
2nd: Timothy Thomas II (College Park)
3rd: Bryson Champagne (Conroe)
4th: Chadrich Robinson (New Caney)

Girls 200m:
1st: Treasure Simmons (The Woodlands)
2nd: McKenna Griffin (Conroe)
3rd: Shi’eana Hall (College Park)
4th: Iyanna Miller (Conroe)

Boys 200m:
1st: Darnell Jackson (Grand Oaks)
2nd: Ty Green (College Park)
3rd: LeAnderay Collins II (Grand Oaks)
4th: Tomi Tanski (The Woodlands)

Girls 1600m:
1st: Stoya Laydevant (The Woodlands)
2nd: Naomi Weller (The Woodlands)
3rd: Ava Miller (The Woodlands)
4th: Keira Palmer (College Park)

Boys 1600m:
1st: Camden Gibson (College Park)
2nd: Elton Martin (The Woodlands)
3rd: Bryson Meredith (The Woodlands)
4th: Brady Meredith (The Woodlands)

Girls 4x400m Relay:
1st: The Woodlands
2nd: Conroe
3rd: College Park
4th: Grand Oaks

Boys 4x400m Relay:
1st: Grand Oaks
2nd: College Park
3rd: The Woodlands
4th: Conroe

With their impressive showings in both the boys and girls track events, The Woodlands took both team victories to claim the team titles for 13-6A. However, all of the top four finishers in every track and field event during the past three days will all get a chance to represent their programs in the upcoming Area Meet on Thursday, the 10th, at Conroe High School.