Lubbock-Cooper high jump duo goes 1-2 at Region I-5A track meet to advance to state

Brentley Preston has come a long way in a year.

A season ago, she missed the region meet following a fifth-place area finish in the high jump at 5 feet, 2 inches. The Lubbock-Cooper junior has improved by leaps and bounds, and she attributed that to her teammates.

Preston will again have a fellow Pirate by her side in the final meet of the season.

Preston and teammate Niomi Wines finished first and second, respectively, in the girls high jump at Friday's Region I-5A track and field meet to advance to state. Each cleared 5-6, with Preston taking bragging rights on fewer misses. The two grabbed each other by the arms and jumped in celebration following the feat at a chilly Lowrey Field.

"I definitely think we put in the hard work," Preston said. "It's something we really wanted. It's been a goal all year. … We definitely push each other to be the best we can be."

Cooper sophomore Sara Goltz placed fourth in the event, showing the competition is benefitting plenty of athletes.

Preston and Wines entered the day with the best qualifying mark at 5-8, a personal record for each. That instilled confidence, but they said they still needed to execute to reach Austin.

"I just knew we had to do what we know how to do," Wines said, "and just jump."

Lubbock High's Reese Peña 'having fun' again

Reese Peña waits until the day of to decide what to write on her legs.

Friday's selections? Have fun. Enjoy it.

It's a simple sentiment, but one that pulled the Lubbock High junior out of a funk this season. Since she turned her focus to enjoying runs, Peña has taken off. She's now hitting her form as she returns to the state track meet.

Peña separated from the front pack on the last 1,200 meters to win the 3,200 in 10 minutes, 55.84 seconds. It's her second consecutive region title in the event, but first time to break 11 minutes this season.

"Once district hit I started to feel like myself again," Peña said. "It's pushing me through, and I've challenged myself through all these runs. It's just pushing me even more and made me a better runner."

Peña heard encouragement from who she thought was Lubbock ISD athletic director Mike Meeks, telling her to "go have fun with it" during the race. She followed that directive to the finish line.

"So I took off," Peña said, "and I had a blast."

Rediscovering her "love and passion" for running and the training process set Peña on her current trajectory after a rough mental stretch to start the season. With that part in place, she'll see where that takes her at the state meet in two weeks.

"It was for sure a big mindset change and shift," Peña said. "I started looking at my times and pictures from last year and … I was genuinely happy with my races. This year I just hadn't been. So I was like, I need to change that because it's affecting me as a person, too, and a student. I just need to switch my mindset … and it changed everything."

Estacado's Jada Green earns lobster with long-jump win

Jada Green usually prefers crab legs, but after Friday, she's getting lobster.

The Estacado senior won the Region I-4A girls long jump with a distance of 17-8¼ to reach state for the first time. The throng in Matador blue couldn't contain their excitement for Green, whose 2023 season ended at regionals. This time, she gets to choose any celebratory meal she desires.

"Wherever they take us, just know I hope I get lobster," an elated Green said. "… I'm more of a crab-leg girl, but I want to try lobster. It's coming out of their pocket, not mine."

To which Estacado coach Khalilah Blaylock excitedly responded, "We got you, girl."

Green jumped 17-3 last year and scratched an attempt that could've taken her to state. She left no doubt Friday, topping a competitive field. She was confident going in with the best seeding mark, but admitted there was a little pressure. Green said her supporters watching took away that stress.

"To keep the first-place spot is a lot," Green said. "That builds a lot of pressure on you, (but) you push yourself more and more to go further. … Winning regionals is a very good blessing to me."

Lubbock-Cooper's Michael Dever surprises himself with 6-8 jump

Michael Dever continues to raise the bar. Literally.

The Lubbock-Cooper junior set a PR by clearing 6-8 to advance to the state meet with a runner-up finish in the 5A boys high jump. Midlothian Heritage's Julian McCullough won the event at 7-0 and had three close calls at clearing 7-1½ in an attempt to break the meet record.

After going head-to-head with McCullough, Dever said he's ready to take on the field in Austin.

"He's the best in our state," Dever said. "I feel like I'm good. I'm feeling great."

Dever's previous best was the 6-6 he cleared last week at area. Last season it was 6-4. He credited coaching and hopes to keep improving with state on the horizon.

"I wasn't really expecting to get this far," Dever said, "so I really can't say anything. Appreciate the man above."

Region I-5A track meet

Friday at Lowrey Field

Note: Top two finishers advance to the state meet. The top third-place finisher among all regions receives a wildcard berth to state.

BOYS

3,200 meters: 1. Adam Burlison, Amarillo High, 9 minutes, 7.59 seconds; 2. Miles Westbrook, El Paso High, 9:19.67; 3. Ethan Gonzalez, North Richland Hills Richland, 9:30.04; 4. Tyler Westrom, Argyle, 9:31.78; 5. Brian Woolums, Argyle, 9:41.15; 6. Jason Dodd, Fort Worth South Hills, 9:45.87.

Triple jump: 1. Desmond Watkins, White Settlement Brewer, 45 feet, 3 inches; 2. Brandon Clark Jr., Brewer, 45-1; 3. Chad Phillips, Justin Northwest, 44-11¾; 4. Donovan Melendez, El Paso Andress, 44-9¾; 5. Andre Washington, Abilene Wylie, 44-6¼; 6. Taniela Ake O'Neal, Argyle, 43-10.

Shot put: 1. Kyen Purser, Midlothian, 60-7¼; 2. Travis Buhake, Mansfield Summit, 59-4; 3. Chris Carrillo, Lubbock-Cooper, 54-6; 4. Ty Haywood, Denton Ryan, 54-¾; 5. Bradyn Smith, Midlothian, 50-7¼; 6. Hunter Spier, Amarillo High, 49-0.

Pole vault: 1. Braylon Brown, Aledo, 15-3; 2. Rylan Bethell, Joshua, 15-3; 3. Brad Campbell, Aledo, 15-0; 4. Zach Holt, Argyle, 14-0; 5. Logan Smith, Abilene High, 14-6; 6. Jaxon Salzman, Midlothian, 14-0.

Long jump: 1. Michael Henderson, Mansfield Timberview, 23-7; 2. Aaron Brookes, Richland, 23-2; 3. Aushaun Wilson, Amarillo Tascosa, 23-0; 4. Josh Hierholzer, Amarillo High, 22-9; 5. Harvey Scott, Timberview, 22-5; 6. Jaylen Parker, Abilene Cooper, 21-10¾.

Discus: 1. Kyen Purser, Midlothian, 175-1; 2. Marcus Garcia, Denton Ryan, 168-10; 3. Matthew Udemba, Colleyville Heritage, 168-8; 4. Cameron Vann, Abilene Wylie, 161-5; 5. Rafael Quiles, Amarillo High, 159-10; 6. Chris Carrillo, Lubbock-Cooper, 157-10.

High jump: 1. Julian McCullough, Midlothian Heritage, 7-0; 2. Michael Dever, Lubbock-Cooper, 6-8; 3. Aushaun Wilson, Tascosa, 6-6; 4. Miller Schenewark, Granbury, 6-6; 5. Blue Schaper, Grapevine, 6-4; 6. Vincent Sipowicz, Lubbock-Cooper, 6-2.

Shot put wheelchair: 1. Tristan Wilson, Midland Greenwood, 23-4¾; 2. Marcos Cano, River Oaks Castleberry, 23-2¼; 3. Triston West, Amarillo Caprock, 16-11; 4. Sam Watson, Pampa, 14-5; 5. Landon Underwood, Greenwood, 12-11; 6. Isaac Montoya, Lubbock High, 11-11.

GIRLS

3,200: 1. Reese Peña, Lubbock High, 10:55.84; 2. Natali Velasquez, Colleyville Heritage, 11:05.46; 3. Ki Rendon, Brewer, 11:06.75; 4. Molly Garrison, Aledo, 11:20.08; 5. Lincoln Husbands, Midlothian, 11:28.67; 6. Jessilyn Wurster, Cleburne, 11:29.57.

Triple jump: 1. Alleah Krote, Fort Worth Arlington Heights, 40-3; 2. Dorie Davis, Summit, 38-2½; 3. Jordan Morgan, Midlothian, 38-0½; 4. London Provo, Saginaw, 37-11¾; 5. Jayden King, Midlothian Heritage, 36-5½; 6. Bella Pillow, Wichita Falls Rider, 36-5¼.

Discus: 1. Olamide Ayeni, Denton Ryan, 158-9; 2. Lauren St. Peters, Aledo, 154-11; 3. Esenam Hussey, Denton Ryan, 125-6; 4. Kendall Jones, Midlothian Heritage, 123-11; 5. Bronwyn Adams, Burleson Centennial, 123-6; 6. (tie) Sylvia Cardona, Tascosa, 118-0; Ava Rushing, Plainview, 118-0.

High jump: 1. Brentley Preston, Lubbock-Cooper, 5-6; 2. Niomi Wines, Lubbock-Cooper, 5-6; 3. Kaidyn Johnson-Gilmore, Summit, 5-4; 4. Sara Goltz, Lubbock-Cooper, 5-4; 5. Shelby Reed, Argyle, 5-4; 6. Kinley Lewis, Denton Ryan, 5-2.

Long jump: 1. Jazlyn Hatcher, Abilene Cooper, 19-3¼; 2. Levariya Pinder, Northwest, 19-0; 3. London Tucker, Centennial, 18-8¾; 4. Micah Tucker, Centennial, 18-6½; 5. Alleah Krote, Arlington Heights, 18-5¾; 6. Norah Nwonumah, Timberview, 18-1¼.

Shot put: 1. Lauren St. Peters, Aledo, 49-0; 2. Olamide Ayeni, Denton Ryan, 43-1½; 3. Esther Adedire, Summit, 40-4¾; 4. London Jones, Summit, 40-1½; 5. Emmalynn Reilly, Amarillo High, 37-11; 6. Riley Curtis, Plainview, 36-6¼.

Pole vault: 1. Taylor Hindman, Aledo, 12-6; 2. Peyton Berry, Argyle, 12-3; 3. Mackenzie Blue, Northwest, 12-0; 4. Maggie Kilburn, Aledo, 11-0; 5. Claire Campbell, Aledo, 11-0; 6. Dylan Wyrick, Argyle, 10-6.

Shot put wheelchair: 1. Tahlie Brandt, Canyon Randall, 16-7½.

Region I-4A track meet

BOYS

3,200: 1. Ryan Fernandez, Canyon, 9:41.23; 2. Lathan Lewter, Canyon, 9:41.94; 3. Daniel Martinez, Sanger, 10:01.31; 4. Jacoby Tooley, Stephenville, 10:01.86; 5. Bryan Hernandez, San Elizario, 10:09.56; 6. Anthony Stuart, Canyon, 10:11.23.

Pole vault: 1. Lance Ottinger, Dumas, 13-6; 2. Briar Floyd, Stephenville, 13-6; 3. Nate Bullion, Stephenville, 13-6; 4. Parker Williams, Decatur, 13-6; 5. Rylan Monsey, Graham, 13-6; 6. Kyler Mills, Stephenville, 13-0.

Shot put: 1. Creece Brister, Stephenville, 54-8; 2. Keaton Goode, Decatur, 48-11¼; 3. Jayden Colvert, Greenwood, 47-6½; 4. Kolton Dearth, Stephenville, 47-6¼; 5. Keltyn Raymond, Glen Rose, 47-4¾; 6. Tyezen Smith, Greenwood, 47-3¾.

Triple jump: 1. Ike Hall, Brownwood, 48-4¼; 2. Morsello Hooker, Brownwood, 44-4½; 3. Nathan Wessels, Monahans, 44-3; 4. Blake Robinson, Dumas, 43-7¾; 5. Collin Miller, Randall, 43-6¾; 6. Kyron Wooten, Canyon West Plains, 42-9¼.

High jump: 1. Colton Andress, Glen Rose, 6-8; 2. Aislee Bynum, Bridgeport, 6-6; 3. Brycen Williams, Canyon West Plains, 6-6; 4. Damion Hopkins, Lake Worth, 6-4; 5. Ty Presley, Greenwood, 6-2; 6. Wyatt Pennington, Sanger, 6-0.

Long jump: 1. Ike Hall, Brownwood, 23-2¾; 2. Collin Miller, Randall, 22-0; 3. Morsello Hooker, 21-10; 4. Jeremy Perello, Pecos, 21-2¾; 5. Peyton Kinman, Graham, 20-11¾; 6. Nathan Wessels, Monhans, 20-10¾.

Discus: 1. Creece Brister, Stephenville, 153-3; 2. Parker Webb, Pampa, 151-3; 3. Sam Kallman, Brownwood, 151-3; 4. Kelton Burgoon, Canyon, 137-8; 5. Javawn McKinney, Mineral Wells, 135-7; 6. Kelby Castro, Springtown, 133-10.

GIRLS

3,200: 1. Hannah Stuart, Canyon, 10:59.24; 2. Brooke French, Randall, 11:28.16; 3. Nayomi Granados, Randall, 11:30.46; 4. Alexus Vasquez, Sanger, 11:42.34; 5. Alexia Martinez, Fabens, 11:49.82; 6. Alexandra Ordaz, San Elizario, 12:08.85.

High jump: 1. Anna Green, Bridgeport, 5-4; 2. Aubrey Vandenberge, Stephenville, 5-2; 3. Emili Walker, Krum, 5-2; 4. Lyla Elkington, Krum, 5-0; 5. Cedar Recker, Andrews, 5-0; 6. Mildred Medina, Decatur, 5-0.

Triple jump: 1. Mackenzie Flaugher, Springtown, 37-10½; 2. Piper Patterson, Canyon West Plains, 36-4; 3. Marlie Morris, Krum, 35-2½; 4. Bella Wade, Stephenville, 34-8¼; 5. Skyler Tyree, Springtown, 34-7¼; 6. Kayla Holmes, Estacado, 34-3¾.

Discus: 1. Valerie Hunt, Monahans, 153-1; 2. Ava Olivas, Seminole, 123-11; 3. Genesis Rubio, San Elizario, 123-2; 4. Toreyna Saddler, Sweetwater, 119-3; 5. Chloe Robles, Andrews, 117-0; 6. Olivia Velardez, Levelland, 106-9.

Shot put: 1. Valerie Hunt, Monahans, 46-1¼; 2. Mya Jones, Andrews, 41-0¾; 3. Toreyna Saddler, Sweetwater, 40-8; 4. Brinley Hall, Stephenville, 36-1; 5. Allegra Solis, Clint, 35-8½; 6. Hallie Gough, Graham, 35-6¼.

Pole vault: 1. Valerie Hunt, Monahans, 11-6; 2. Sophia Bush, Randall, 11-0; 3. Ellie Ware, Decatur, 11-0; 4. Madison Rust, Stephenville, 10-6; 5. Remington McFarland, Glen Rose, 10-0; 6. Hadley Johnson, Canyon, 9-6.

Long jump: 1. Jada Green, Estacado, 17-8¼; 2. Marlie Morris, Krum, 17-6¼; 3. Brooklyn Kinsey, Canyon, 17-1; 4. Aniya Richardson, Mineral Wells, 17-0½; 5. Georgia Martin, Graham, 16-10¾; 6. Maggie Neal, Krum, 16-8¾.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Region I-5A, Region I-4A track meet results: Field events in Lubbock