SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Ballinger Bearcats boys track team are in for a treat. After dominating in several events at the region I-3A track and field championships over the weekend, the UIL state meet is the next destination.
The Bearcats won the 4x400-meter relay and Weston Rollwitz won the 300 hurdles. Garrett Dixon placed second in the discus throw which grants him a spot in the state meet.
Head coach Bryan Gayoso said this is only the beginning. This was a goal the bearcats have been trying to achieve since Weston Rollwitz and JoeMarcus Guerrero placed fifth in the mile relay during the 2019 regional championships.
The 4x400-meter relay team includes Gavin Martinez, Rollwitz, Landen Landers and Guerrero as the anchor leg. This was no easy task, knowing all teams competing this season had to sit out a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Guerrero walked through his 400-meter race routine. He said he takes off at about 90% the first 50-60 meters, starts conserving at a high speed down the stretch, then he'll push all he has left the remaining 150 meters pumping his arms and picking his knees up without losing form.
The mile relay team ran a season-best time of three minutes and 25.12 seconds. Rollwitz ran a 39.46 in the 300-meter hurdles and Dixon threw 151-11 in the discus throw.
The UIL State Track and Field Championships starts May 6 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.