It took a few extra weeks of practice and a swine flu scare, but the 2009 track and field season is finally moving forward as the Class 2A, Region II championships got under way Friday in Stephenville. The top athletes from Alvord, Boyd, Chico and Paradise are competing this weekend for a trip to the state finals in three weeks.
The top two finishers in each event advance to the state championships June 5-6 at the University of Texas at Austin.
The first half of the action started Friday morning with girls' long jump. Wise County did not get a state qualifier, but two of the three local athletes advanced to the final round and both set personal records.
Freshman Jordan Ward of Alvord, who is competing in four events at regionals, jumped 17 feet and 1 inch, to break her old mark by more than 6 inches and finish 5th overall. Senior Emily Basting of Boyd also saved her best for last as she recorded a jump of 16 feet and 10 1/2 inches jump to finish 6th overall.
Alvord senior Paige Klein also competed but did not make the final cut. She is also competing in the triple jump, 100, 200 and 800 relay.
On the boys' side in morning action, Paradise's Ryan Smart competed in discus for the first time at regionals but came up short at 136 feet and 1 1/2 inches against a deep and talented field of athletes.
Alvord senior Justin Meador jumped 18 feet and 6 3/4 inches in the long jump competition.
The girls' discus kicked off the afternoon competition where Paradise's Hannah Runnels (89-6) and Boyd's Jenny Hardcopf (91-11), who both ranked in the top six of the 24 athletes, fell just shy of a trip to Austin.
Boyd had all three district qualifiers in girls' pole vault. Senior Desirea Nelson, a four-year letterman, had the best day for the Lady Yellowjackets as she cleared 10 feet and placed 4th.
Danielle Foster and Mary Barnett, who were 2nd and 3rd at the district meet, scratched from the event due to other school commitments.
As of press time Friday, the following athletes and relay teams had qualified for the running event finals to be held Saturday: Paradise boys' 400 relay; girls' 800 - Haley Mitchell of Paradise and Katie Mark of Boyd; girls' 110 hurdles - Jordan Ward of Alvord; boys' 110 hurdles - Tim Fleming of Boyd; girls' 100 - Paige Klein of Alvord; boys' 100 - Travis Montgomery of Alvord; and Alvord girls' 800 relay.
Saturday's schedule Field events
10 a.m. Boys' triple jump (Justin Meador, Alvord) Girls' high jump (Shelby Collins, Chico) Boys' shot put (Shane Watkins, Alvord)
12:30 p.m. Girls' triple jump (Paige Klein, Alvord) Boys' high jump (Travis Wright, Alvord, and Tim Fleming, Boyd) Girls' shot put (Marley Moyers and Jennifer Landers, Alvord)
