SPRINTING SURGE — Decatur sophomore Giselle Martinez ran 12:13.80 to finish 32nd in the 4A girls 2-mile race Saturday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Martinez led the Lady Eagles to a 10th-place finish with 260 points. MICAH MCCARTNEY/WCMESSENGER
With just one runner with previous experience on the trails of Round Rock’s Old Settlers Park, the Decatur Lady Eagles found themselves flying down the course and up the team standings.
The Lady Eagles scored 260 points and finished 10th in the 4A girls 2-mile race Saturday at Round Rock’s Old Settler’s Park.
“It was a pretty good race, and it ended up being a very successful day for our program” Decatur coach David Park said. “We beat Celina, and we were just two points behind the Region II champions (Kaufman). We had five girls that set new PRs, so it really doesn’t matter what place we finished because we felt like we succeeded. A lot of our top runners are younger girls, and my purpose was to teach them our old traditions, show them how we run on the state course, lay it all on the line and let the chips fall wherever they may. These girls now have experience running a state race, and they learned a lot today.”
Decatur’s Region I rival Canyon Randall won the state title with 50, while Fredericksburg (61) and Salado (103) claimed silver and bronze team medals.
In her second state run, sophomore Giselle Martinez used her experience on the course to lead the Lady Eagles, finishing 32nd in 12:13.80.
“I felt really strong, and I had a lot of support from my team,” Martinez said. “Overall, it was a really good race, and we had good weather. The competition is always good at the state meet. I think I was able to help the team with a solid race plan. I knew I had to attack the levee more, and pass a lot of people.”
Freshman Reagan Nicks, who has been one of the top runners for Decatur’s program this season, clocked 12:27.40 for 50th in her first state race.
“I was just proud of the whole team for getting here,” Nicks said. “We all really fed off of each other. The team’s had a really good bond all year long, and we pushed each other every day to get here.”
Park praised his top two runners for leading the team this season.
“Numbers speak louder than words,” Park said. “Giselle ran 12:13, and she’s never done that before. When she passed me on the course, she looked like she had determination in her eyes… For Reagan, this was a year of learning, just like it was for Giselle last year. She learned on that path. It’s exciting to see the younger girls because they have those ‘ah-ha’ moments like she did today.”
Freshman Sophia Christensen finished 95th in 12:55.60 — about 7 seconds ahead of junior Madison Schwabe (102nd, 13:02.50). In her first state race, freshman Rainey Gokey clocked 13:18 for 113th, while seniors Emma McAlister (13:23.40) and Grace Knight (13:28) placed 117th and 123rd, respectively.
The coach likes his team’s chances of returning to the state meet regardless of what region the Lady Eagles are put in during the UIL’s 2024-26 realignment, slated to be announced in February.
“We’re only two seniors off of this year’s team,” Park said. “We’re going to get faster, and we’re going to grow. We’ll bring in a new group of freshmen next year, and see if they can help us. I feel good wherever they put us.”
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