Aiming for state: Nine athletes to watch at this week's Region IV high school track meets
Two meets into the championship season, the best track & field athletes from the Coastal Bend are one step away from reaching the pinnacle — the UIL State Track Meet.
But standing in the way are challengers from all of Region IV as competitors try to secure two automatic berths in every event contested this weekend in San Antonio, Kingsville and Seguin.
Here are some of the top Corpus Christi athletes to watch this week:
FINE NINE
BOYS
Ernest Campbell, sr., Refugio — Not much more needs to be said about the best sprinter in recent memory, as Campbell is taking aim at his fourth consecutive state championship in the 100, but he can add to his lifetime state medal haul in the 200 and even long jump this season.
Zach DeWalt, sr., Flour Bluff — Since bursting on the scene as a freshman, DeWalt has been one of the area's best and he will look to break through again in two sprint events, while also contributing to the Hornets strong relays.
Jackson Lovvorn, sr., King — The dominant distance runner who will run for the University of Houston next season takes one final crack at advancing to state in track as a qualifier in the 1,600 and 3,200.
Jayden McCoy, jr., Tuloso-Midway — McCoy was a state medalist in long jump last season and will take his crack at qualifying in multiple events in Kingsville this week.
Eden Perez, sr., Hebbronville — Another standout sprinter in a season chalked full of them, Perez will try to reach state in the 100 and 200 after finishing one spot away last season.
Jasiah Rivera, jr., Kingsville — A standout hurdler, Rivera has been to state and now is seeking more in Austin, but he has to check off the key step this week at home at Javelina Stadium, where he will also challenge in long jump.
Enrique Rodriguez, sr., Taft — Rodriguez was a double state qualifier last season in Class 3A, where he finished one spot off the podium in the 100 and will challenge Region IV-3A again.
JC Smith, sr., Ingleside — Arguably the area's best all-around athlete, Smith bound for North Texas to play football, will take a crack and breaking through to state in all three jumps.
Caden Soliz, sr., Three Rivers — Soliz grabs your attention in the field events where he has some of the best marks in the region in long jump, triple jump and high jump.
A dozen more: Brody Garcia, Veterans Memorial; Kolton Taylor, Refugio; Colton Harrison, Gregory-Portland; Nathan Edlin, Ingleside; Shawn Burdick, Tuloso-Midway; Elijah Gonzalez, Flour Bluff; Temoc Zamora, Veterans Memorial; Brian Rivas Jr., Beeville; Jason Moore, Refugio; Layton Niemann, Woodsboro; Brody Karl, Rockport-Fulton; Vincent Suarez, Riviera
More: Corpus Christi high school track & field, 2024 area meet results
GIRLS
Trinity Anscombe, jr., Robstown — In addition to being one of the region's best sprinters, Anscombe's best event might be the long jump, where she could find herself in contention for a medal in Austin.
Maggie Croft, jr., Flour Bluff — The area's best volleyball player and a top basketball player, Croft has again advanced to regionals in multiple events after earning five medals at the area meet in La Joya last week.
Nyomi Garcia, sr., Robstown — After breaking through to state in the fall in cross country, Garcia, one of the best mid-distance runners in the area, will try to knock the door down in track as well.
Harper Green, so., Beeville — One of the region's best hurdlers is through in both events, but she is among the favorites in the 300 hurdles.
Jazmyn Howard, so., Refugio — Howard is easily the Coastal Bend's best chance at an athlete that could be on the podium multiple times in Austin, with five gold medals in five events at the area meet.
Kaitlyn Kilgore, so., Gregory-Portland — Kilgore is throwing her best marks of the season, and will look to claim a state berth in shot put and discus.
Michelle Lindholm, sr., George West — Lindholm is among the favorites in the 200 and has already been racing against a state medalist in Kyla Hill from Goliad as she looks to advance to Austin.
Madison Snody, sr., Gregory-Portland — Snody skied to a season-best 13-foot, 7.5-inch clearance at the district meet and looks to return to the UIL State meet for the first time since her sophomore season.
Ciara Tilley, jr., Refugio — The Bobcats are favored in a lot of girls events in Kingsville, and Tilley is a strong possibility to earn twin golds in the throwing events and return to Austin for the first time since her freshman season.
A dozen more: Tristen Grimes, Gregory-Portland; Carissa Hintz, Flour Bluff; Lennyn Tosto, Flour Bluff; Elaina Lucido, Carroll; Sakara Wade, Gregory-Portland; Hailey Martinez, Robstown; Vianka Hernandez, Ingleside; Angela Coronado, Rockport-Fulton; Thana Hernandez, George West; Riley Haug, Refugio; Jazaelynne Lewis, Refugio; Jada Dennis, Veterans Memorial
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Here are nine athletes to watch at the Region IV track meets
