Juarez garners silver in area races
Bridgeport’s Citlali Juarez and Decatur’s Sophia Christensen and Giselle Martinez push their way through the field in the girls 1,600 at the District 7/8-4A area championships April 11 at Springtown High School. Juarez earned silver medals in the 1,600 (5:41.49) and 3,200 (12:17.22), while Christensen placed third in the 800 (2:31.20) and Martinez earned bronze in the 3,200 (12:17.65). MACK THWEATT | WCMESSENGER
Competing as one of two female athletes from Bridgeport High School, junior Citlali Juarez was one of the top distance runners at the District 7/8-4A area championships last week.
Juarez earned silver medals in the 1,600 (5:41.49) and 3,200 (12:17.22) April 11 at Springtown’s Porcupine Stadium, punching her ticket to the 4A Region I championships in both events.
With her second-place finishes, Juarez helped the Sissies to finish fifth in the team standings with 24 points.
Bridgeport will also be represented by Anna Green, who cleared 5-02 to place second in high jump.
The Decatur Lady Eagles claimed 11 total medals and 15 regional berths, finishing second in the team standings with 128. Krum claimed the area title with 199, while Springtown scored 87 and placed third.
Ellie Ware brought home Decatur’s lone gold medal, winning the pole vault by clearing 11-06.
Dylan Thornton was a silver medalist in the 300 hurdles in 46.28. She also ran 16.69 for third in the 100 hurdles.
Grace Knight ran away with three silver relay medals. She teamed up with London Gilbreath, Mildred Medina and Hope Escobar in the 4×100 (50.13), Allie Watkins, Gilbreath and Escobar in the 4×200 (1:45.17) and Haylie Huggins, Maya Conrad and Watkins in the 4×400 (4:06.07).
Escobar clocked 26.13 to pick up the bronze in the 200. Sophia Christensen was third in the 800 (2:31.20), while Giselle Martinez placed third in the 3,200 in 12:17.65.
Chloe Hammonds added a bronze medal in discus with a throw of 89-11. Mylie Dobson cleared 8-06 for third place in pole vault.
Medina earned regional bids by placing fourth in the 400 (1:01.67) and high jump (4-10). Emma McAlister (800 — 2:31.80) and Abi Mathee (100 hurdles — 17.00) were also regional qualifiers for the Lady Eagles.
In the boys division, the Decatur Eagles scored 69 and finished fourth. Springtown won the meet with 149 — 44 ahead of runner-up Sanger. Krum scored 101 and claimed the team bronze.
The Eagles’ three gold medals all came in field events. Keaton Goode won shot put with a throw of 48-05.75, while Lane Hesteande threw 141-10 to strike gold in discus. Parker Williams added a win in pole vault (13-03).
Boden Portales was a silver medalist in shot put (47-.09.25). Matthew Cannon finished second in pole vault, clearing 13-00.
Cayden Forrest clocked 54.09 to finish fourth and qualify for regionals in the 400. Jaxon Wall (800 — 2:05.25) and Jamari Fletcher (300 hurdles — 42.32) also advanced.
The Bridgeport Bulls were 10th with 11.
Bridgeport’s lone regional qualifier was Aislee Bynum, who cleared 6-04 to claim gold in high jump.
Bridgeport and Decatur’s qualifiers will participate at the 4A Region I championships Friday and Saturday at Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park in Lubbock.
