LUCAS, Texas-Texas High will need a bus for next week's Region II-5A Track and Field Championships at the University of Texas-Arlington.
Schools from District 15-5A continued their domination of 16-5A Thursday during the 15-16 Area Championships at Lovejoy ISD Stadium. However, Texas High's boys followed up their district title with a strong second behind host Lucas Lovejoy, 125 to 113.
Texas High's girls got off to a great start with Hannah Higgins winning gold in the discus with a throw of 125-3 into a strong breeze. Unfortunately for the Lady Tigers, Higgins will be the only girl advancing to region.
It was different in the boys division where 17 Tigers qualified in nine of the 17 events, including all three relay races as THS won three silver medals. Interim coach Lamarcus Franklin used 10 athletes in those relays.
The 4x100 was clocked in 42.73 with Quan Hampton, Mason Jones, Kaveone Ragland and Jawaun Stewart passing the baton.
Freshmen Demarquez Willis and Treci Cooper teamed with Jones and Ragland to post a 1:28.89 in the 4x200.
Elias Thurmand, Caleb Legrand, Dra Woodruff and Zack Willis recorded a season-best 3:23.60 in the 4x400. They led most of the race until Pine Tree standout Eric Hawkins rallied the Pirates to victory. Hawkins also won gold in the 400 and 800.
Stewart was a key Tiger performer, placing second in the long jump (22-0 1/2) and high jump (6-2) and third in the 100 with a 10.98 effort.
"Stewart has been consistent for us all year," Franklin said. "I really feel good about today. We competed well. We're fortunate to have so many kids that we can use so many in the relays.
"It's going to be hard to get out of region. There's so much talent with schools like Lancaster and others. We'll try to load up a relay or two. Anything can happen."
The Tigers came out of the field events in second place behind Lovejoy, 52-44. The Leopards added to that lead with a victory in the 4x100 relay.
Freshman Owen Likins was another standout for the Tigers with a silver performance in the 3200 with a season-best time of 9:48.69, only .5 out of first place. Likins was third in the 1600, while teammate Will Harrell qualified fourth.
Stewart cleared 22 feet for the first time this year for silver in the long jump, while clearing 6-2 for second in the high jump.
Junior Tevailance Hunt won gold in a very competitive triple jump with a leap of 44-8. Teammate Christian Reid was third at 44-5 1/2. He was second until the final jump.
Perhaps the meet's highlight came from Wylie East's Justin Young, who won the 110 hurdles in 13.79. He doubled up by taking the 300 event in 38.14.