Snyder's Jay Castillo captures first medal in fourth UIL state track meet
AUSTIN — Jay Castillo prefers to look on the bright side.
The Snyder senior didn't focus on what he missed his first three years at the UIL state track and field meet. Instead, he chose to revel in the fact he got to experience Mike A. Myers Stadium more times than most.
Castillo also tried to take a lesson or two from each competition. He applied those Thursday to end his medal drought.
Castillo ran the 400 meters in 48.04 seconds to earn bronze in the 4A event. Even though he hadn't looked at his first three attempts as disappointments, it was a welcome change to close his career with the Tigers.
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"This moment's been in my head for a good minute," Castillo said. "It's been one of my main goals, especially for senior year. I'm just really grateful that after all four years I can finally get a medal. I can say I got top three from Snyder."
Castillo's previous best was a fourth-place spot last year. He placed eighth the season before and sixth as a freshman. He set his personal best with Thursday's performance.
"I don't ever try to look at something in a bad way," Castillo said. "I always try to learn from it and see what I can do to get better. Last year I took off too fast. That's why I died out in the last 100. This year I tried to take off a little more calmer. … Overall I think I was patient with my race."
Castillo had more than 15 supporters cheering near the finish line. He said reaching the podium with family and his pastor in the stands, along with representing his hometown, was an added thrill.
"I'm just happy I can say I did something for Snyder," Castillo said. "… A lot of people came, so I tried to give them a good race. It just shows how much I love my family and how much they have my back. I didn't come to Austin this time to let them down."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Snyder's Jay Castillo captures 1st medal in fourth UIL state track meet
