The San Benito Lady Greyhound track team is shown at the high school before departing to the District 32-5A track preliminaries. (Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez)
By CHRISTY CORTEZ
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Lady ’Hounds started preliminaries for the District 32-5A track meet Tuesday in Weslaco.
The Lady ’Hounds are predicted to win their fifth consecutive district championship acquired over the last five years and, as predicted, took the lead after preliminaries with a combined score of 56 points.
If the Lady ’Hounds capture the title Thursday during the finals of the meet also held in Weslaco, it will also be the third consecutive district title for Lady ‘Hound Head Track Coach and former Greyhound state track champion Danny De La Rosa.
Another district title didn’t seem possible early on, as most of their senior runners had graduated. This young team that consists of mainly underclassmen has picked up the pace set by those who graduated and are continuing the success in track for the Lady ’Hounds. The success has made them targets for competitors at track meets all season long. This week’s district track meet should be no different as other track teams hope to become the next district champs and snag the title away from San Benito.
“It’s pretty much well known that everyone is out to get us. They know what’s at stake for us, they’re all gunning for us and they’re going to try and beat us,” said De La Rosa.
The Lady ’Hounds aren’t phased by competitors’ efforts to keep them from their fifth championship and are looking forward toward advancing to the Regional Track Meet in San Antonio. A trip to regionals could very well be possible for many Lady ’Hounds. “We should qualify a good number for regionals. We know a few can, as expected of them,” added De La Rosa.
After Tuesday’s races the Lady ’Hounds that will be competing in the finals, that are scheduled for Thursday, are Esmer Sosa who qualified in the 100m and 200m sprint, Veronica De Leon, Gladys Sosa, and Janie Garcia will all be hurdling in the 100m and 300m hurdles, and C.J. Banuelos, Vivi Abrego, and Rosa Gomez will all be running the 400m race. Maria Hernandez will be joining the rest of her team Thursday as she placed first in the 3200m run and set a new school record with a time of 11:45.
Representing the Lady ’Hounds at regionals in the field events will be Esmer Sosa for the triple jump in which she finished in first place and in the long jump as well where she finished in second. Samantha Martinez will join Sosa as she will be competing in the shot put where she placed second in district.
After regionals the Lady ’Hounds hope to advance some runners to state. Although the competition at state is extremely difficult, De La Rosa believes that Sosa has the best chance to make it to the state meet but in the triple of long jump. Earlier this season Sosa jumped over 17 feet in the long jump. She earned first place in the event beating out the Valley’s best competitors.
The Lady ’Hounds are set to defend their title and hope to end the meet with their fifth district championship as the District 32-5A track meet resumes in Weslaco on Thursday.
For the full story, pick up a copy of the April 17 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
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