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Photo by Justice Vega, submitted by Marvin Nash

Trio of Rattlers set to compete at UIL Regional meet

San Marcos Track & Field
Thursday, April 28, 2022

After a season of ups and downs, three Rattlers will head to the UIL Conference 6A Region IV track and field meet this weekend, with juniors Qiera Green and Exavion Harris competing in the triple jump and freshman Alexandria “Ally” Juarez running in the 800 meters.

“Last year we went to Area, both (Green) and Ex, they did great at District,” San Marocs head coach Marissa Mendoza said. “ But when we went to Area, they were sophomores, they were babies competing against juniors and seniors who had been there already. So they both had a little hiccup at Area last year but I think a lot of it had to do with the mental toughness … Now they’ve gone to Area, they’ve made it out. So it’s gonna be exciting to see them compete on Friday.

“Like I was telling Ally, you know, this is a huge accomplishment, especially as a freshman, to make it to Regionals. And it’s her second sport she’s made it to Regionals in — she did it in cross country and now she’s doing it again. That’s a huge deal.”

Green is the only member of the group who’s been a part of the track and field team year-round. She said she had a “rough” start to the season and then hyperextended her knee, forcing her to miss three weeks. Green came back in time for the Seguin Matador Relays on March 26 and has been improving ever since.

She won her second consecutive triple jump title in the District 26-6A meet on April 13, leaping for 36-8. Green went on to take third place at the Area meet last weekend to qualify for Regionals. With her personal record set at 37-0.75, Green’s hoping to jump somewhere between 37-5 or 38-0 this weekend.

“(The triple jump is) kind of different in like, people seem to struggle with it. But I was really good at it and I love just having three steps,” Green said. “It’s pretty fun.”

Harris came into the season late, playing defensive back for the San Marcos football team and guard for the basketball team. He said he takes after his father, Luther, who played basketball and competed in the triple jump when he was in high school, too.

He qualified for the Area meet in both the triple and long jumps, placing first and third at the District meet, respectively. Harris went on to post a 46-9.25 distance in the triple jump last weekend, a top-25 mark in the state.

Harris credited some of the skills he built up with the football and basketball teams for the success he’s had this year.

“I think they all play a part together because it’s like jumping,” Harris said. “Because you need jumping in basketball for like, layups. And then football, if you’re a receiver or DB, you gotta jump, get high balls like that. I think it all plays a part and it helps you get stronger in each and every sport.”

Juarez began the year in cross country, then played soccer during the winter before returning to the track team. Mendoza said Juarez is one of the most energetic athletes she’s ever worked with.

The freshman said she was a little nervous coming into this season, not knowing what to expect. She’s since settled in, though, and took fourth place at the Area meet to qualify for Regionals. She’s hoping to improve on her PR of 2:20.

“It’s a fun environment,” Juarez said. “Like, we make a lot of friends and a lot of your friends join because it’s just something that all sports do to get better at.”

The UIL Conference 6A Region IV meet takes place at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio on April 29-30.

“Our expectations are for them just to, like I said, go out there, have fun compete and do your best and hopefully all PR and end on a good note,” Mendoza said.

“I’ve been coaching for almost 15 years,” assistant coach Marvin Nash said. “It’s just a pleasure to coach kids who are so excited and so locked in and so engaged in the sport. I think I could go another 15 if I can keep coaching kids like these.”

San Marcos Record

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