While the UIL state track meet provides a fun and exciting end to the high school track season every year, giving the best athletes in each part of the state an opportunity to compete against the other top athletes in their classification, we here at Big Country Preps weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the sport.
After introducing the inaugural All-Big Country Preps Dream Track Meet in 2021, we’ve decided to reprise it this year.
As with our All-Big Country Preps teams for other sports, our Dream Meet is our way of honoring some of best athletes the Big Country had to offer this past school year. But our concept for this is just a little bit different.
Instead of being presented as a team, we’re treating this like a meet with an area-wide field in each event. There are no distinctions made for classification, just a collection of the top performers from across the BCP coverage area.
Without further ado, we present our All-Big Country Preps Dream Meet girls field. We hope you enjoy reading through our selections.
3,200 METERS
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Sydney Partin, Sr., Priddy
Partin ran a personal-best time of 12:34.07 at the Class 1A state tournament to place seventh after taking silver at the Region III-1A meet with a 12:35.96.
2. Emily Bartek, Fr., Goldthwaite
Bartek reached the Region IV-2A meet as a freshman on the strength of a personal-best 12:22.22 at the Districts 29/30-2A area meet.
3. Hailee Garmer, Jr., Roby
This three-event state qualifier ran a personal-best 12:05.59 at the Class 1A state meet in Austin to claim a bronze medal and help the Lady Lions to the team title.
4. Mason Murray, So., Abilene High
This young distance runner ran an area-best time of 11:48.54 to take silver at the Weatherford Invitational in March. She later earned earned gold in the event at the Big Spring Invitational and the Cedar Ridge Raider Relays.
5. Marin Murray, Jr., Abilene High
A Region I-5A meet qualifier in the 3,200, Murray placed seventh at that meet with a time of 12:13.29. But the junior broke 12 minutes twice this season, running a personal-best 11:55.08 at the Weatherford Invitational.
6. Jace Chisum, Fr., Jayton
This young lady took the area by storm in her first high school season, reaching the Class 1A state meet in both distance events. In the 3,200, in particular, she placed fourth at state with a personal-best time of 12:15.89.
7. Hailey Von Willer, Fr., Jim Ned
A Region I-3A meet qualifier in both distance events as a freshman, Von Willer ran a 3,200 time of 12:38.93 at that event to finish ninth. That was about seven seconds off the personal-best 12:31.69 she ran to take gold at the Jim Ned Tribe Relays in early March.
8. Carlota Ferrro, So., Snyder
Had promising season as a sophomore, running a personal-best 12:38.00 at the Big Spring Invitational and a 12:41.26 two weeks later at the Merkel Windmill City Relays.
400-METER RELAY
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Merkel
The Lady Badgers team of Micah Holloway, Avery Martin, Sofia Rodriguez and Avery Holloway took silver at the Districts 5/6-3A area meet with a 51.08 before running a 52.11 at regionals. Their best time of the season (50.45) came earlier in the year at the Merkel Windmill City Relays.
2. Wall
Wall’s quartet of Kaylee Bartz, Abbie Boehle, Kamryn Williams and Cale Neighbors ran their way to the Region I-3A meet this year, running a 50.86 there to finish seventh. The Lady Hawks’ top time of 49.86 came at the Districts 5/6-3A area meet, where they followed a first-place finish at district with another gold medal.
3. Abilene High
The team of Germanie Williams, Harmonie Colomb, Maya Wellborn and Malia Williams won the District 4-5A meet with a season-best time of 49.02, eventually advancing to the Region I-5A meet, where they placed 12th.
4. Stephenville
Stephenville’s foursome of Kenna Cashon, Marin Copeland, MacKenzie Gonzalez and Victoria Cameron just missed the medal stand at the Class 4A state meet, running a fourth-place time of 47.49. That effort, which followed a gold medal run of 48.63 at the region meet, was still the area’s top time by more than a second.
5. Cooper
The Lady Cougars team of Isabella Anderson, Samarah Green, Amyah Walzer and Jazlyn Hatcher took fourth at the District 4-5A meet in a time of 49.67. That was a little less than a second off the the season-best and gold medal time of 48.80 run by Green, Hatcher, Anderson and Anne-Lie Waite at Big Spring Invitational on March 10.
6. Stamford
The Lady Bulldogs team of Emma Follis, Lainee Lefevre, Laylonna Applin and Deavine Hoadley reached the Class 2A state meet, where they finished seventh with a season-best time of 49.72. That was the fourth-best time among Big Country teams this season.
7. Wylie
The Lady Bulldogs’ team, which settled on a lineup of Jahniya George, Layla White, Maly Wallem and Brin Heuerman after previously featuring Aubrey Farmer, Kate Kelfstrom and M’Lia Whitman, ran a season-best 50.20 at the Big Spring Invitational, before taking sixth at district with a time of 51.24.
8. Comanche
After Mckenna Hipps, Jade Morin, J’Lee Salinas and Kinsey Glasgow combined to earn a gold medal at the District 8-3A meet with a season-best time of 50.68, Joana Martinez replaced Glasgow as the anchor in a seventh-place effort at the area meet (52.83).
800 METERS
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Lily Rodriguez, So., Snyder
A promising young middle distance runner for the Lady Tigers, Rodriguez closed her season with a seventh-place 800 finish at Region I-4A meet. The 2:27.94 she ran there was her second-best time of the year — behind only the personal-best 2:23.41 she ran at the Districts 5/6-4A area meet.
2. Abigail Carr, Jr., Clyde
Carr followed silver medal performances at the District 6-3A meet and Districts 5/6-3A area meet with a fourth-place time of 2:24.22 at the Region I-3A meet. Her best time of the season came at district, where she ran a 2:22.77.
3. Sidney Windham, So., Brownwood
Windham closed her sophomore campaign at the Region I-4A meet, earning a sixth-place finish with a time of 2:25.65. Her personal best of 2:21.92 came one week earlier at the area meet, where she claimed a silver medal.
4. Addison Martin, Sr., Ballinger
The top 800 runner in the Big Country, Martin closed her decorated career with a bronze medal at the Class 3A state tournament. She ran a 2:17.53 to achieve the feat — just missing the personal-best 2:17.42 she ran to win the Region I-3A meet.
5. Zoe Vann, So., Abilene High
Vann had a strong sophomore year, taking silver at the District 4-5A meet with a time of 2:22.66. That came more than a month after PR’ing at the Weatherford Invitational with a 2:19.89.
6. Bergan Pinkley, Fr., Big Spring
A Region I-4A meet qualifier in three events as a freshman, Pinkley had her best finish in the 800, taking eighth with a time of 2:28.75. That effort was about six seconds off her season-best 2:22.59 — achieved during a bronze medal performance at the Districts 5/6-4A area meet.
7. Annie Mullin, Fr., Hico
This impressive freshman reached the Region II-2A meet, finishing just off the medal stand with a fourth-place time of 2:24.84. That came two weeks after running a personal-record 2:23.79 to take silver at the District 11-2A meet.
8. Hailee Garmer, Jr., Roby
Garmer just missed the medal stand at the Class 1A state meet, taking fourth with a personal-record time of 2:25.23. That beat her bronze medal regional time of 2:27.91 by more than two seconds.
100-METER HURDLES
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Madison Ford, Jr., Jim Ned
This junior had a successful season in the 100 hurdles, running a personal best 15.79 at the Districts 5/6-3A area meet to earn a spot at the Region I-3A meet, where she followed with a ninth-place time of 16.25.
2. Hope Hermesmeyer, Jr., Goldthwaite
The seventh-place finisher at the Class 2A state meet, Hermesmeyer ran her best time of the year (15.56) at the Region IV-2A meet to earn silver two weeks prior.
3. Alli Scott, Sr., Moran
A three-event state qualifier and two-event state medalist, Scott took gold in the Class 1A 100 hurdles with a time of 15.42. That came two weeks after running a personal-best 15.02 to earn gold at the Region II-1A meet.
4. Payton Phillips, Sr., Clyde
This standout senior nearly earned a state medal, finishing fourth in Class 3A with a personal-best effort of 14.43. That followed gold medal efforts at the district, area and regional meets.
5. Lainey Jernigan, Jr., Goldthwaite
The Class 2A state champion in both hurdles events, Jernigan ran a personal-best 14.62 in Austin to cap a tremendous junior season.
6. Ashtyn Wilson, Fr., Ballinger
This freshman put the rest of the Big Country on notice, earning a bronze medal at the Region I-3A meet with a personal-record time of 15.47. That just edged the 15.63 she ran at the area meet to take silver.
7. Emily Jackson, Jr., Bronte
Jackson earned a bronze medal at the Class 1A state meet with a time of 15.74. That was just off her personal record of 15.58, run during prelims at the Region II-1A meet.
8. Laynee Porche, So., Wall
After qualifying for the Region I-3A meet with a fourth-place finish at the area meet, Porche ran a personal best time of 15.91 at Abilene Christian University to place sixth in the region.
100 METERS
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. M’Lia Whitman, Sr., Wylie
Whitman cracked 12.6 seconds on a pair of occasions this season, running a personal best 12.43 at the Lubbock Invitational before posting a 12.52 in prelims at the District 4-5A meet.
2. Aunisti Griffin, Jr., Sweetwater
This junior narrowly missed the medal stand at the Region I-4A meet, running a personal-best time of 12.32 to place fourth. That came after earning silver medals at the District 5-4A meet (13.46) and the Districts 5/6-4A area meet (12.55).
3. Cale Neighbors, So., Wall
A regional meet qualifier in the 400 relay and open 100, Neighbors ran one of area’s top 100 times (12.38) to take gold at the District 5/6-3A area meet. She followed back-to-back golds at district and area with an eighth-place finish at the region meet, running a finals time of 12.76.
4. Victoria Cameron, Sr., Stephenville
Stephenville’s star senior sprinter won every 100 race she ran this season, closing her final high school campaign a personal-best time of 11.35 to earn state gold in Austin. That topped her previous season best of 11.49, run at the Region I-4A meet.
5. Anne-Lie Waite, Jr., Cooper
Waite earned gold medals at the District 4-5A meet (12.06) and Districts 3/4-5A area meet (12.18), before running a 12.61 in the prelims to finish 13th at the Region I-5A meet.
6. Malia Williams, Jr., Abilene High
A Region I-5A meet qualifier in the 100, Williams earned bronze at the Districts 3/4-5A area meet and the District 4-5A meet, where she ran a pesonal-best 12.14 during prelims.
7. Abbigale Shephard, Sr., Cross Plains
One of just three seniors to make our field in the 100, Shephard closed her final high school season at the Class 1A state meet. Her state time of 12.79 was enough to earn her a fourth-place finish, two weeks after claiming a silver medal at the Region II-1A meet with a personal-record time of 12.63.
8. Kaylee Hunt, So., Hico
Hunt just missed medaling at the Region II-2A meet, running a fourth-place time of 12.65. Her best time of the year (12.44) came at the District 11-2A meet, where she sprinted her way to a gold medal.
800-METER RELAY
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Coahoma
Coahoma’s lineup of Nevaeh Kerby, Christian Everrett, Kaedyn Lee and Baylor Wright reached the Region I-3A meet this season, running a ninth-place time of 1:49.29. That group’s top effort came a couple of weeks earlier, when its 1:47.66 earned it a silver medal at the District 6-3A meet.
2. Brock
The BHS team of Alli Fuller, Hayden Walker, Gracie Stephens and Macie Carter ran a 1:47.23 at the the Region I-3A meet to place sixth. That was just off the season-best 1:47.13 that Ava Tucker, Walker, Stephens and Carter ran to take bronze at the Districts 7/8-3A area meet.
3. Abilene High
The Lady Eagles team of Germanie Williams, Maya Wellborn, Harmonie Colomb and Malia Williams had the third-best mark in the Big Country this season, running a silver medal time of 1:46.40 at the Cedar Ridge Raider Relays.
4. Stephenville
After missing out on a state medal in the sprint relay, SHS’ quartet of Kenna Cashon, Marin Copeland, MacKenzie Gonzalez and Victoria Cameron earned bronze in the 800 relay with a season- and area-best time of 1:41.05.
5. Stamford
The Lady Bulldogs quartet of Emma Follis, Lainee Lefevre, Jameson Bell and Deavine Hoadley claimed state gold at the Class 2A level with a season-best time of 1:42.93. That extended Stamford’s streak of consecutive 800 relay golds to four meets, beginning with a winning effort at district.
6. Wylie
Wylie’s team of Brin Heuerman, Rozyln Rumsey, Mille Modi and Maly Wallem just missed medaling at the District 4-5A meet, running a fourth-place time of 1:48.48. That earned the group a spot at the area meet, where it took sixth with a season-best mark of 1:46.65.
7. Clyde
The Lady Bulldogs foursome of Aven Horn, Chloe Ukle, Abigail Carr and Payton Phillips advanced all the way to the Region I-3A meet, placing eighth there with a time of 1:49.62. That was a little more than two seconds off the season-best 1:47.25 Clyde ran to earn gold at the District 6-3A meet.
8. Ballinger
Ballinger’s quartet of Matilda Galvan, Ashtyn Wilson, Megan Booher and Addison Martin reached the Region I-3A meet, where they finished seventh with a season-best time of 1:47.77. That topped their previous best of 1:48.45, run at the District 6-3A meet.
400 METERS
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Marin Copeland, So., Stephenville
The anchor leg for the Honeybees mile relay team, Copeland also had a strong year in the open 400, taking gold at the District 6-4A meet (1:00.54) and silver at the Districts 5/6 area meet (1:00.05).
2. Ava Hawkins, So., Gordon
This promising sophomore saved her best for last, running a personal-record 59.99 to claim a bronze medal at the Class 1A state meet. Her previous best had come at the Region III-1A meet, where she earned gold with a time of 1:02.21.
3. Jaden Baxter, Fr., Knox City
This freshman exploded onto the Big Country track scene with a debut campaign that ended with a silver medal performance at the Class 1A state meet. Her personal-best time of 59.89 put her among the area’s top quarter-milers with three years remaining to compete.
4. Lexi Slaughter, So., Wall
One of several talented sophomores running for the Lady Hawks, Slaughter closed her season with a fourth-place 400 finish at the Class 3A state meet. She ran a personal-best time of 58.30 in Austin, topping her bronze medal regional time of 58.41.
5. Braycee Lee, So., Brownwood
A Region I-4A meet qualifier in two events, Lee placed seventh in the region in the 400 with a time of 1:00.81. Her best time of the year came a week earlier at the Districts 5/6-4A area meet, where she broke a minute for the first time with a gold medal effort of 59.86.
6. Dorcas Jones, Jr., Big Spring
Jones finally cracked a minute in her final competition of the year, running a personal-record 59.96 to place fifth at the Region I-4A meet. Her previous best was 1:01.13, which she ran to earn gold at the District 5-4A meet.
7. Anne-Lie Waite, Jr., Cooper
This speedy junior only ran the 400 a couple of times, but she still cracked the list of area leaders with a season-best 1:00.00 at the Andrews Max Goldsmith Mustang Relays.
8. Taylar Riley, So., Wylie
Riley had a strong sophomore campaign, following a bronze medal performance at the District 4-5A meet (1:01.62) with personal-best 1:00.15 to place fifth at the area meet.
300-METER HURDLES
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Hope Hermesmeyer, Jr., Goldthwaite
Hermesmeyer reached the Region IV-2A meet in the 300 hurdles, running a personal-best time of 48.02 once there to place fourth.
2. Alli Scott, Sr., Moran
Scott paired her 100 hurdles gold with a state silver medal in 300 hurdles, running a season-best 47.47 in Austin to top all Class 1A competitors but Silverton’s Maddie Frances (46.96). Her previous best of 48.16 earned her a gold medal at the Region II-1A meet.
3. Samarah Green, Jr., Cooper
Green had a strong junior season in the 300 hurdles, which culminated with a personal-record effort of 44.75 in the finals of the District 4-5A meet. That trimmed more than a second off her prelims time of 45.82.
4. Lainey Jernigan, Jr., Goldthwaite
This two-event state gold medalist also saved her best for last in the 300 hurdles, running a 44.12 in Austin to shave more than a second off her first-place regional time.
5. Avery Holloway, Sr., Merkel
Switching from the 400 to the 300 hurdles as a senior, Holloway took to the race like a fish to water, advancing all the way to the Class 3A state meet in the event. After running a personal best 44.68 to take gold at regionals, she ran a fifth-place time of 454.27 in Austin.
6. Kaylee Hunt, So., Hico
This standout sophomore reached the Class 2A state meet in the 300 hurdles, setting a personal record in Austin with a time of 45.73. That mark, which earned her a sixth-place finish, topped her previous best (46.24) by half a second.
7. Emily Jackson, Jr., Bronte
A Class 1A state qualifier in both hurdles events, Jackson took fourth at state in the 300 hurdles with a season-best time of 47.73. That topped her previous best of 48.51, which earned her a silver medal at the Region II-1A meet.
8. Pearson Hearne, Fr., Cisco
Yet another impressive freshman to claim a spot in our Dream Meet, Hearne closed her first high school season at the Region II-2A meet. And she did enough there to medal, taking bronze with a time of 48.98. That was just off Hearne’s personal best of 48.07, which earned her a gold medal at the District 10-2A meet.
200 METERS
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Kaylee Hunt, So., Hico
While Hunt only ran the 200 handful of times, she still established herself as one of the top athletes in the area in the event. Her personal-best 26.18 at the McGregor Bulldog Relays was the seventh-best time in the Big Country Preps coverage area this season.
2. M’Lia Whitman, Sr., Wylie
This senior ran her best time of the year (25.99) during prelims at the District 4-5A meet. But she sandwiched that with strong performances at the Lubbock Invitational (3rd, 26.05) and in the district meet finals (6th, 26.02).
3. Germanie Williams, So., Abilene High
This Region I-5A meet qualifier ran her best time of the year (25.69) at the District 4-5A meet, before running a 26.13 at the Districts 3/4-5A area meet and a 26.17 at the region meet.
4. Anne-Lie Waite, Jr., Cooper
A Region I-5A meet qualifier in both sprints, Waite placed seventh in the 200 with a time of 25:01. That was about a half-second off her personal best time of 24.45, which earned her a silver medal at the District 4-5A meet.
5. Aunisti Griffin, Jr., Sweetwater
One of the Big Country’s top sprinters in any classification, Griffin reached the Class 4A state meet in the 200, placing eighth with a time of 26.32. That followed gold medal efforts at the Districts 5/6-4A area meet (26.10) and Region I-4A meet (25.57).
6. Payton Phillips, Sr., Clyde
Best known for her prowess in the 100 hurdles and the long jump, Phillips was good enough in the 200 this season to reach the Region I-3A meet, where she finished fifth with a time of 26.43. That was a little off the personal-best 25.74 she ran at the Graham Possum Kingdom Relays.
7. Kyleena Hughes, Jr., Big Spring
Hughes had a strong junior season, advancing to the Region I-4A meet, where she placed eighth with a time of 26.81. That was less than a second off her personal-best time of 26.00, which earned her gold at the District 5-4A meet.
8. Kasey Solis, So., Bangs
This five-event regional qualifier placed seventh in Region I-2A in the triple jump. Her season-best effort of 34-9 topped the 33-3¾ she jumped to earn gold at the District 8-2A meet.
1,600 METERS
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Marin Murray, Jr., Abilene High
Murray, who placed fifth at the District 4-5A meet with a time of 5:46.17, ran a season-best 5:36.18 more than a month earlier at the Weatherford Invitational.
2. Daylee Chisum, Jr., Jayton
Chisum closed her junior season on the medal stand in Austin, taking bronze in the mile with a personal-best time of 5:35.09. That beat her silver medal regional time of 5:37.21 by more than two seconds.
3. Agatha Skelton, Jr., Haskell
Skelton reached the Class 2A state meet, placing eighth with a time of 5:38.06. That was almost eight seconds off the personal-record 5:30.58 she ran at the Region II-2A meet to earn a silver medal.
4. Mason Murray, So., Abilene High
Murray, a cross country state qualifier in the fall, ran the Big Country’s best mile time (5:30.05) at the Weatherford Invitational to claim a silver medal in the event.
5. Lily Benson, So., Roby
A Class 1A state meet qualifier in both the 800 and the mile, Benson set personal record in the 1,600 at state with a silver medal time of 5:30.18.
6. Kaidynce Ornelas, Jr., Roscoe
Closing her season at the Class 2A state meet, Ornelas ran a personal-best time of 5:32.94 to finish sixth in Austin. That performance followed a gold medal effort at the District 8-2A meet (5:37.49) and a silver medal performance at the Region I-2A meet (5:35.87).
7. Emily Bartek, Fr., Goldthwaite
A two-event region meet qualifier, Bartek took third at the Districts 29/30-2A area meet with a season-best time of 5:35.82.
8. Jace Chisum, Fr., Jayton
As with the 3,200, Chisum also just missed the medal stand at state in the 1,600, placing fourth with a PR of 5:46.66. This was after taking bronze at the region meet in 4:45.50.
1,600-METER RELAY
LANE ASSIGNMENTS
1. Breckenridge
The Lady Bucks’ foursome of Haylie Mendoza, Ruthie Valdez, Destiny Jamison and Kassidy Whitaker finished fifth at the Region I-3A meet with a season-best time of 4:07.40. That time improved upon bronze medal efforts at the District 8-3A meet (4:12.49) and the Districts 7/8-3A area meet (4:09.78).
2. Wall
Wall’s team of Kennedi Graves, Sealie Hughes, Faith Jost and Lexi Slaughter had quite a season, earning regional bronze with a season-best time of 4:05.09. That came after gold medal efforts at district (4:09.68) and area (4:09.71).
3. Goldthwaite
The quartet of a Jemma Williams, Rylie Hillis, Madison Wood and Lainey Jernigan placed fourth at the Class 2A state meet with a season-best time of 4:02.98.
4. Wylie
Maly Wallem, Taylar Riley, Rozyln Rumsey and M’Lia Whitman combined to reach the Region I-5A meet, running a season- and area-best 4:01.39 there to take fifth place. That followed a silver medal effort at district (4:07.89) and a bronze medal effort at the area meet (4:01.91).
5. Stamford
Emma Follis, Jameson Bell, Deavine Hoadley and Lainee Lefevre combined to deliver a bronze medal performance at the Class 2A state meet, running a season-best 4:02.88 to help the Lady Bulldogs nab a share the Class 2A team title.
6. Stephenville
The only Stephenville relay not to close its season in Austin, the Honeybees quartet of Kenna Cashon, Madi Rust, Kate Fambrough and Marin Copeland still reached the Region I-4A meet, taking fifth there with a season-best time of 4:11.11.
7. Brock
After earning gold medals at the District 8-3A meet (4:10.38) and District’s 7/8-3A area meet (4:07.23), the Brock team of Cameron Lane, Ava Nix, Hayden Walker and Gracie Stephens finished eighth at the Region I-3A meet with a time of 4:13.26.
8. Cisco
The Loboes quartet of Pearson Hearne, Lola Hart, Ninel Tambunga and Livi Whitehill closed their season at the Region II-2A meet with a fourth-place time of 4:11.37. That was Cisco’s best effort of the season, topping its prelim time by nearly three seconds.
POLE VAULT
SEED ORDER
1. Kaylee Hunt, So., Hico
Hunt closed out a tremendous sophomore campaign with a gold medal-winning performance at state, clearing a personal-record height of 12-3 to win the Class 2A pole vault. That capped a season that saw her win the pole vault competition at every meet in which she competed.
2. Zoe Vann, So., Abilene High
This young vaulter had a tremendous season, which included gold medal jumps of 11-6 at both the district and area meets. That was just three inches off her personal-best of 11-9 — achieved at the Weatherford Invitational in March.
3. Reagan Bruner, Sr., Cisco
This senior closed her high school career with a state silver medal, vaulting a career-best 11-0 in Austin to cap a wildly successful campaign. Bruner, who took gold at the district and area meets, also placed second at the Region II-2A meet, clearing 10-9 at that event.
4. Jillian Halfmann, Sr., Ballinger
Halfmann not only reached the Class 3A state meet as a senior, she medaled there, earning bronze with a vault of 11-0. That matched the personal-best height she cleared to claim regional gold.
5. Madi Rust, So., Stephenville
This sophomore closed her season at the Region I-4A meet, taking fourth there with a personal-best effort of 10-6. She had previously earned silver medals at the District 6-4A meet and the Districts 5/6-4A area meet with matching vaults of 9-6.
6. Baylor Wright, So., Coahoma
This Region I-3A meet qualifier earned a bronze medal at that event with a personal-record vault of 10-6. That capped an impressive sophomore season that saw Wright clear 10-0 to also claim third-place finishes at the district and area meets.
7. Baylee Shriver, Fr., Jim Ned
Shriver advanced all the way to the Region I-3A meet in her first high school season, clearing 9-6 there to place eighth at that event. That came almost a month to do the day after she vaulted a personal best 10-6 to take gold at the Wall Cotton Patch Relays.
8. Avery Graves, Sr., Goldthwaite
Graves closed her high school track career with a sixth-place finish at the Class 2A state meet, vaulting 10-0 — three inches off her season-best height achieved at the Region IV-2A meet.
HIGH JUMP
SEED ORDER
1. Hannah Deen, Fr., Brownwood
Just a freshman, Deen advanced all the way to the Class 4A state meet, taking seventh in Austin with a jump of 5-2. That was three inches off the 5-5 she achieved at the region meet to set a personal record and earn a silver medal.
2. Alli Scott, Sr., Moran
After clearing a personal-best 5-4 at the Angelo State Spring Break Relays and 5-2 at the Region II-2A meet — both gold medal performances — Scott finished fifth at the Class 1 state meet with an uncharacteristically low mark of 4-10.
3. Abigail Carr, Jr., Clyde
This junior closed her penultimate high school season at the Region I-3A meet, earning a bronze medal with a season-best jump of 5-3. That capped a successful season that also included gold medal efforts at the District 6-3A and Districts 5/6-3A area meets.
4. Aubrey VandenBerge, So., Stephenville
VandenBerge advanced all the way to the Region I-4A meet, where she finished fifth with a personal best-matching jump of 5-2. The sophomore cleared that same height at both the district and area meets to earn bronze medals at both.
5. Carley Oliver, So., Early
This sophomore followed a gold medal effort at the District 8-3A meet and a silver medal performance at the Districts 7/8-3A area meet with a seventh-place finish at the Region I-3A meet. She jumped 4-10 at regionals — four inches off her personal best of 5-2.
6. Summer Shepherd, So., Throckmorton
Shepherd claimed a bronze medal at the Region III-1A meet with a leap of 4-8. That came three weeks after hitting a personal-record height of 5-2 at the District 21-1A meet to take gold.
7. Emalyn Bohensky, So., Bronte
This sophomore reached the Class 1A state meet, taking seventh place with a jump of 4-8. That was six inches off her season-best mark of 5-2 — achieved during silver medal performances at the Angelo State Spring Break Relays and the Region II-1A meet.
8. Kaeli Woodall, Sr., Forsan
Woodall cleared 5-0 at the Region I-2A meet to place fifth at that event. That was two inches off her season best of 5-2, which tied her for fourth among area high jumpers.
SHOT PUT
SEED ORDER
1. Toreyna Saddler, Jr., Sweetwater
A Class 4A state qualifier in the shot put, Saddler took fifth in Austin with a throw of 39-6½. That was more than two feet off her personal-best heave of 42-1½, which earned her a gold medal at the District 5-4A meet. The junior also took gold at the area and regional meets.
2. Kamryn Williams, Sr., Wall
A unique athlete capable of sprinting and throwing at a high level, Williams posted the area’s second-best shot put of the season when she heaved a 40-7 on March 30 at the Wall Cotton Patch Relays. Her final high school campaign took her all the way to the Class 3A state meet in Austin, where she threw a 39-2¼ to take bronze.
3. Kiana Roberson, Jr., Albany
A state silver medalist in both throwing events, Roberson threw the shot 39-0¾ in Austin. That came two weeks after hitting a personal best throw of 40-6¼ to earn a gold medal at the Region II-2A meet.
4. Calie Hernandez, So., Roby
Hernandez took silver at the Class 2A state meet with a personal-best throw of 38-10. That topped the 37-5½ she threw to win the Region II-1A meet by almost a foot and a half.
5. Harley Medford, Jr., Haskell
Medford nearly earned a state berth, placing third at the Region II-2A meet with a throw of 35-8. The junior, who took silver at the district and area meets, had her best effort at the Albany Lions Relays, where she took gold with a personal-best throw of 38-5½.
6. Aleena Nelson, Sr., Forsan
Nelson closed her high school career at the state meet, throwing 37-4¾ to place seventh in Class 2A. That was just off her personal best of 38-2, which earned her a gold medal at the Forsan Stampede.
7. Bree Lewis, Fr., Coahoma
Just a freshman, Lewis made quite a first impression, reaching the Region I-3A meet in her first high school season. There, she placed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 37-8 — nearly matching the personal-best 37-8½ she achieved at the Stanton Buffalo Invitational.
8. Kate Watts, Jr., Clyde
A Region I-3A meet qualifier in both throwing events, Watts posted a personal-record shot throw of 36-6 at that event to place seventh. That followed bronze medal efforts at both the district and area meets.
LONG JUMP
SEED ORDER
1. Jazlyn Hatcher, Jr., Cooper
Hatcher had another strong season in the jumps, posting the Big Country’s best long jump mark (19-0½) to earn gold at the District 4-5A meet. She followed that with a gold medal at the Districts 3/4-5A area meet (18-4¼) and a fourth-place finish at the Region I-5A meet (18-6¾).
2. Payton Phillips, Sr., Clyde
A two-event state qualifier, Phillips placed seventh in Austin in the long jump with an effort of 17-3¼. That was more than a foot off the 18-6½ she achieved to earned gold at the Region I-3A meet.
3. Gracie Stephens, Jr., Brock
Stephens nearly medaled at the Region I-3A meet, having to settle for fourth after jumping 17-7¾ at ACU. Her season-best came in a gold medal effort at the District 8-3A meet, where she jumped 18-1.
4. Victoria Cameron, Sr., Stephenville
A four-event state qualifier and two-event state medalist, Cameron made a strong showing in the long jump at Austin as well, placing fifth with a personal-record leap of 18-0. That just nipped her gold medal effort of 17-11¾ at the regional meet.
5. Abbie Boehle, So., Wall
A region qualifier in four events, Boehle made her best showing in the long jump, taking ninth at the Class 3A state meet with a leap of 16-8½. Her best jump of the season (17-11¼) came two weeks earlier at the Region I-3A meet, earning her a silver medal and a trip to Austin.
6. M’Lia Whitman, Sr., Wylie
Whitman reached the Districts 3/4-5A area meet with a personal best jump of 17-7¾ at the District 4-5A meet. She placed fifth at the area meet with a leap of her 16-9 — her fourth-best jump of the year.
7. Anne-Lie Waite, Jr., Cooper
Waite just missed the medal stand at the District 4-5A meet with a fourth-place jump of 17-7. That almost matched her personal-record effort of 17-7½, which earned her a bronze medal at the Andrews Max Goldsmith Mustang Relays.
8. Kasey Solis, So., Bangs
This sophomore reached the Region I-2A meet, earning a bronze medal there with a season-best jump of 17-5½. That came after jumping 15-8 to earn gold at the District 8-2A meet.
DISCUS
SEED ORDER
1. Kiana Roberson, Jr., Albany
Roberson’s state silver in the discus came thanks to an impressive heave of 134-5, but that wasn’t her best throw of the year. That came at the Albany Lions Relay, where the junior’s throw of 138-0 marked the best by any area athlete in 2023.
2. Kamryn Williams, Sr., Wall
In addition to her success in the shot, Williams is also one of the area’s top discus throwers, heaving a personal-best 137-4 to earn a gold medal at the District 6-3A meet. The senior also took gold at the area meet, before finishing sixth in the region with a throw of 121-7.
3. Toreyna Saddler, Jr., Sweetwater
After earning a gold medal at the District 5-4A meet with a throw of 122-0 and a bronze at the Districts 5/6-4A area meet (108-11), Saddler finished one spot short of the medal stand at the Region I-4A meet, hitting a personal-best throw of 135-1.
4. Amanda Harrell, Jr., May
Harrell capped her junior year in fine fashion, earning a silver medal at the Class 1A state meet with a personal-record throw of 126-1. That topped her previous best — a heave of 121-10 to earn gold at the Region II-1A meet — by more than four feet.
5. Kate Watts, Jr., Clyde
As was the case in the shot put, Watts also saved her best for last in the discus, hitting a PR of 125-2 at the Region I-3A meet to place fifth. That marked a significant improvement over the 117-1 she threw to earn silver at district and the 112-11 she threw to take bronze at the area meet.
6. Milly Hughes, So., Strawn
Hughes’ throw of 120-10 in Austin was enough to earn her a bronze medal at the Class 1A state meet. That was a few feet off her season-best heave of 124-6, which she hit at the Trent Gorilla Invitational.
7. Haylee Barnes, Fr., Hico
A region qualifier in three events, Barnes took eighth in the Region II-2A discus with a throw of 100-9. That followed a personal-best and gold medal effort of 119-0 at the Districts 11/12-2A area meet.
8. Justice Fox, Sr., Cisco
Fox competed through the Region II-2A meet, closing her season there with a fifth-place throw of 110-1. That was more than eight inches off her career best of 118-7, which earned her a silver medal at the District 10-2A meet.
TRIPLE JUMP
SEED ORDER
1. Ashlynn Galvin, Sr., Jim Ned
This standout senior had another successful season in the triple jump, taking Region I-3A gold with a season-best leap of 37-3¾ to close her high school career at the Class 3A state meet. In Austin, she finished eighth with a jump of 37-0¼.
2. Averi Wood, Fr., Jim Ned
Wood made a strong first impression as a freshman, posting the second-best jump in the area (37-3½) at the Merkel Windmill City Relays on March 23. She wasn’t able to recreate later in the season, finishing fifth at district with a leap of 33-10½, but she did enough to show the tremendous potential she has in this event.
3. Livi Whitehill, Sr., Cisco
This senior medaled at the Region II-2A meet, taking bronze with a leap of 35-1¾. She had previously taken gold at the District 10-2A meet, the Districts 9/10-2A area meet and at the Clyde Golden Shoe Bulldog Relays, where she set her season record at 36-8.
4. Jazlyn Hatcher, Jr., Cooper
In addition to her success in the long jump, Hatcher also had a solid year in the triple jump, reaching the area meet with a personal-record and bronze medal leap of 36-5 at the District 4-5A meet. The junior took seventh at area with a jump of 34-6.
5. M’Lia Whitman, Sr., Wylie
Whitman closed her season with her two best efforts of the year, following a season-best 36-3 at the Lubbock Invitational with a fifth-place jump of 35-7½ at the District 4-5A meet.
6. Hannah Deen, Fr., Brownwood
Deen, who qualified for the Region I-4A meet in five events, took bronze in the triple jump with a personal-best effort of 36-2¼. That completed a strong season-ending run that also saw her earn medals in the event at the district meet (bronze, 32-10) and the area meet (gold, 34-11¼).
7. Madison Munoz, Sr., Westbrook
Munoz closed her high school career in style, leaving Austin with some hardware in the triple jump. Her 35-7½ at the Class 1A state meet was just off her personal best of 36-2 at the Region II-1A meet, but it was still enough to earn her a silver medal.
8. Gracie Stephens, Jr., Brock
A key member of the Brock 800 and 1,600 relay teams, Stephens was also a Region I-3A meet qualifier in the long jump and triple jump. She finished fourth in the triple jump with an effort of 35-9½, which was a few inches short of the personal-best 36-0¼ she used to take gold at the District 8-3A meet.