Announcement
Fourteen Time National Champions
August 3, 2009: The South Texas Walking Club won its fourteenth consecutive national racewalking championship at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa this past week-end bringing home one third of all gold medals awarded plus the only two national racewalking records set at the meet.
Earning gold medals and setting new national records were nine year old Bianca Garza of Palmer Elementary School in Pharr and sixteen year old Alex Chavez of PSJA High School. Also earning gold medals were twelve year old Amberly Melendez of Longoria Elementary School in Pharr, eleven year old Diana Castilleja of Treviño Elementary School in San Juan and Geraldo Flores of San Juan Middle School, better known as “El Perrón” by his teammates, as reported by the national racewalk announcer during the meet.
Amberly Melendez did a stupendous job outpacing Chrisha Moore of Missouri. The two girls went out together and stayed together step for step for two laps during which time Amberly took an accidental elbow blow to the ribs from Chrisha. She was able to endure the pain and finally, with her exceptional condition was able to walk away from Chrisha at the end of the second lap and went on to cross the finish line in an incredible time of 8:01. The twelve year old not only earned the “All American” status but her great time earned her the right to join the top high school girls in the country at the Nike Indoor National One Mile Championship in Boston and the National Scholastic Indoor Championship in New York City this coming March.
Many an eyebrow was raised as every team member was able to win one of the top five places in each of their 1500 or 3000 meter racewalk. The race attracting the most attention was the nine year old girls as Bianca Garza set the new record and was followed by Itzel Gonzalez of Treviño Elementary School in San Juan and Bella Pichardo of McAllen in second and third place respectively, each with exceptional personal best times.
Eleven year old Diana Castilleja had very little problem in winning her age category but Crystal Nicole Florido of Carnahan Elementary School had to come from behind to win second place in the same race. Three girls from Texas, Florida, and Maryland refused to give way until the beginning of the third lap when Crystal put on her afterburners and left them well behind.
Eleven year old Guillermo Pichardo of Reed & Mock Elementary School surprised Matias Serna of Treviño Elementary School when he went out with the lead pack leaving Matias behind more than fifty yards. Matias, who generally has been able to outpace Guillermo in other races, mustered enough energy in the last two hundred meters to finish less than one second behind Guillermo in a thrilling third and fourth place finish for the two friends. Matias kiddingly claimed that he only allowed Guillermo to finish ahead to show good sportsmanship among friends.
Success stories followed one after another and one such story was that of Brianna Jazmine Sánchez of Bowie Elementary School in Alamo. Brianna was the club’s only ten year old representative and found herself next to last at the start of her race. She could not afford to wait long to start reeling in her competitors and it was a beautiful sight seeing her bringing them in one, two and sometimes three at a time with some fighting back but not for long as she brought home her first silver medal.
Others participating for the South Texas Walking Club included Claudia Ortiz of Mission who won a silver medal after winning gold three days before at the USA Track and Field Championship, Diana Lee Flores of PSJA High School and Marissa Borrego of Edinburg High School. They brought home fourth place medals while Alejandra Garza of Napper Elementary School in Pharr earned her first ever fifth place medal.
Nine year old Jonathan Aguilar of Edinburg and sixteen year old Jessica Reybal of McAllen assisted the club in winning the USATF National Championship in North Carolina by each winning third place in their respective categories. Unfortunately, they could not attend the AAU National Championship.
The South Texas Walking Club had several children that qualified to attend the national championship but could not do so for several reasons. Among them were Jorge Contreras of Doedyns Elementary School in San Juan, the regional ten year old fourth place winner; Cielo Martinez of Napper Elementary in Pharr, the regional ten year old champion; Victoria Frias of Carnahan Elementary in Pharr, the regional fourth place winner; and twelve year old regional champion, Abisai Aguilar of Edinburg.
Thirteen year old Geraldo Flores, “El Perrón”, entertained the spectators and officials as is customary for him during his race. He jumped with joy at the finish line as the announcer made it known that he had previously won three silver medals and was finally winning his first gold ever.
Other PSJA ISD children who participated actively were from:
Carmen Elementary School: 8 year old Perla Leal; 8 year old Luis Cabrera; 10 year old Faith Gortarez 12 year old Sofia Leal
Palmer Elementary School: 9 year old Cassandra Gonzalez; 9 year old Eduardo Uria
South Pharr Elementary School: 9 year old Emily Ruiz; 11 year old Lesley Perez; 11 year old Yanneli Bustos; 11 year old Taiz Cortez; 11 year old Arylyn Escobedo
Pharr Elementary School: 10 year old Carlo Ramirez; 10 year old Victoria Garza
Whitney Elementary School: 11 year old Ana Vasquez
Trevino Elementary School: 10 year old Daniela Davila; 12 year old Hugo Banda
Cesar Chavez Elementary School: 10 year old Amanda Guajardo
Napper Elementary School: 11 year old Lucero Martinez
Longoria Elementary School: 11 year old Idalia Rivera
Liberty Middle School: 12 year old Analyssa Gonzalez; 12 year old Jennifer Vargas; 13 year old Josie Vargas
San Juan Middle School: 14 year old Frieda Arrellano
