South Texas Walking Club

PRESS RELEASESubmitted by A.C. Jaime (956.821.6659)  

April 25, 2009  

CHAVEZ WINS AT PENN RELAYS 

Alex Chavez of PSJA High School, the apparent heir to the South Texas Walking Club as referred to by USA Track and Field National Racewalk Chairman Vince Peters, won the prestigious one – hundred year old Penn Relays Junior 10K Racewalk today.   The seven time national high school All – American is the first South Texas Walking Club athlete ever to win this meet. 

The Edinburg thirteen and fifteen time high school All – American twins Roberto and Ricardo Vergara were a sure bet to win this meet last year but cancelled the trip at the last minute because of their high school graduation banquet.   The PSJA High School sophomore, who is often times seen walking up and down I Road from the Pharr Stadium to the river, experienced a hard time in winning this championship.  A 10K is not the norm for the sixteen year old youth who, until this year, was accustomed to the short one mile and 3K racewalks.  He won and set a new Junior Olympic 3K record in Virginia two years ago and last month he won the prestigious Boston One Mile Racewalk Championship.  

Coach Charlie Smith of Virginia, who has come to know and respect the South Texas Walking Club members and Alex in particular, frantically began yelling at Coach A.C. Jaime telling him that Alex had fallen down half way through his nineteenth lap.  By then Alex was already getting up and gradually getting his composure back as he finished his nineteenth lap but he had six more to go and looked exceptionally tired.  It could be seen that he was struggling and in danger of being disqualified if he did not maintain good technique.  He then made a smart decision slowing down to laps of 2:00 to 2:07 instead or the blistering 1:54 – 1:57 laps he had been walking.  He finally got his full composure back and managed to walk a 1:56 last lap finishing well ahead of his competitors.  Surprisingly, Judge Michael Roth of North Carolina was heard telling a group of judges and others having lunch after the event that Alex demonstrated the best form and technique among the fifteen competitors on the field.   

PSJA Elementary School Tri – City Championship Results  Ten year old Eduardo Uria of Palmer Elementary School took the lead at the beginning of the eight to ten year old competitors’ racewalk in what National USATF Chairman Vince Peters described as “inspiring for our country’s top walkers by this young crowd’s energy and enthusiasm.” Our country’s Olympians and other elite racewalkers from throughout the nation had just participated at the “Americas Cup Trials” held in Pharr and Texas for the first time ever.  They had each chosen one of the PSJA Elementary School participants to be their water boy/girl during their racewalk and now elected to walk along side each to encourage them during their 1500 meter racewalk. Maria Michta, our country’s top female 20K racewalker at Sunday’s event said, “I was tired after my race and had to run to stay up with Crystal, (referring to Crystal Florido of Carnahan)” as Crystal was on her way to winning second place in the girls eleven year old division.   

 

All racewalks were exciting but the one that drew the most attention was the eleven year old age bracket girls where thirteen girls from the Tri – City Area fought for the first place trophy.  The favorites were North Pharr Champion Idaliz Rivera of Longoria Elementary School; South Pharr Champion Crystal Florido of Carnahan Elementary School; North San Juan Champion Diana Castilleja of Treviño Elementary School and South Pharr Silver Medal Winner Anna Velasquez of Whitney Elementary School.  Crystal had an edge on all the girls as demonstrated with her performance during the City Championships a week before.  However, today she was to meet all her rivals in the fourth and final round of the Tri – City Elementary School Championship Series.  Diana, who was ranked second behind Crystal by one second took the lead at the outset and never looked back.  She had an amazing thirteen second per lap improvement to outpace all other competitors finishing her first ever 1500 meter racewalk in a time of 9:09.  She finished behind meet overall winner twelve year old Amberly Melendez of Longoria Elementary School who finished in a time of 8:39.

 

PSJA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRI – CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS GIRLS:8 and Younger:

NAME                                    TIME                         SCHOOL

1.  Perla Leal                           10:42                           Carman

2.  Karina Velazquez               14:38                           Pharr             

 9 Years Olds:

1.  Bianca Garza                      9:20                             Palmer

2.  Itzel Gonzalez                    10:59                           Treviño

3.  Victoria Frias                     11:24                           Carnahan

4.  Cassandra Gonzalez           11:58                           Palmer

5.  Emily Ruiz                         12:40                           South Pharr  

10 Year Olds:

1.  Daniela Davila                   10:08                           Treviño

2.  Jazmine Sanchez                10:29                           Bowie

3.  Amanda Guajardo             10:44                           Cesar Chavez

4.  Cielo Martinez                   11:45                           Napper

5.  Stephanie Velasquez          12:30                           Pharr

6.  Andrea Sanchez                 14:36                           Cesar Chavez  

11 Year Olds:

1.  Diania Castilleja                 9:09                             Treviño

2.  Crystal Florido                   9:21                             Carnahan

3.  Ana Vasquez                      9:31                             Whitney

4.  Taiz Cortez                         9:39                             South Pharr

5.  Idalis Rivera                       9:40                             Longoria

6.  Yanneli Bustos                   10:05                           South Pharr

7.  Lesly Perez                         10:40                           South Pharr

8.  Arlyn Escobedo                 11:16                           South Pharr

9.  Marisol Ruiz                       11:30                           Cesar Chavez

10. Myrka Chapa                    11:44                           Treviño

11.  Lucero Martinez               11:58                           Napper

12.  Jennifer Ramirez              12:10                           South Pharr

13.  Jessica Villagomez           12:26                           Pharr     

PSJA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRI – CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS (continue)GIRLS (cont.)12 and over:

1.  Amberly Melendez                        8:39                             Longoria

2.  Sofia Leal                           10:28                           Carmen

3.  Alejandra Garza                 10:35                           LBJ Midddle School

4.  Frida Arellano                    11:49                           San Juan Middle School

5.  Analyssa Gonzalez             11:50                           LBJ Middle School    

BOYS8 and Younger:

1.  Luis Cabrera                       11:48                           Carmen  

9 Year Olds:

1.  Issac Ruiz                           11:16                           Cesar Chavez  

10 Year Olds:

1.  Eduardo Uria                     9:27                             Palmer

2.  Jorge Contreras                  10:55                           Doedyns

3.  Carlo Ramirez                    11:17                           Pharr   

PhotoLeft to Right:

Eleven year old winner Diana Castilleja, two time USA Olympian Tim Seaman, twelve year old Bronze Medalist Alejandra Garza, twelve year old Silver Medalist Sofia Leal, USA Elite Racewalker Mathew Forguez of Maine, USA World Cup team member Trevor Barron of Pennsylvania, USA Elite Racewalker Margaret Ditchburn of California and eleven year old Silver Medalist Crystal Florido.   

March 29, 2009 PRESS RELEASE A.C. Jaime 956.821.6659 Americas Racewalk Cup Trials Seven time high school sophomore All-American Alex Chavez of PSJA High School broke fifty minutes at Sunday’s Americas Racewalk Cup Trials in Pharr. Alex was the youngest competitor in the field and at fifteen may get to represent the USA at the Americas Cup to be held on May 1st and 2nd in San Salvador, El Salvador if any of the top boys are unable to make the trip. Making the trip will be 1st place winner Trevor Barron of Pennsylvania; 2nd place winner Mathew Forgues of Maine and former South Texas Walking Club star Ricardo Vergara of Edinburg. On standby will be Chavez and former South Texas Walking Club fifteen time high school All-American from Edinburg, Roberto Vergara. Roberto was a close 4th place winner ahead of Chavez.

 

Claudia Ortiz of Mission won 2nd place in the girls 10K race in a time of 57:11 and thus qualified to attend the USATF Junior National Championships to be held in Oregon. High School All–American Jessica Reybal of McAllen walked a 1:00:35 10K and thus missed both qualifying times in her first attempt at this distance.

Representing the USA at the Americas Cup for the girls will be seventeen year old All-American Allison Chin of Ohio who won the race in a time of 54:28.

 

The men will be represented in San Salvador by first place 20K winner NAIA three time Collegiate Champion Patrick Stroupe of Missouri who finished in a time of 1:27 and two time USA Olympian Tim Seaman of California who won 2nd place. Attempting his 1st 20K walk was Adrian Jaime of McAllen who came short of finishing the race by 14 kilometers.

In the women’s 20K race Maria Michta of New York caught fast starting Philadelphian Solomiya Login with 5 kilometers to go. The first year grad student held on to win in a time of 1:46. Erin Taylor of the South Texas Walking Club finished 4th in a time of 1:52.

Name Year School Finals =================================================

1 Chavez, Alejandro 11 661 6:39.79

2 Sorensen, Tyler 12 596 6:52.65

3 Forgues, Matthew 10 251 7:09.98

4 Gunderkline, Jacob 09 26 7:11.46

5 Campbell, Tyler 09 715 7:15.34

6 Vincent, Evan 95 7:34.28

7 Randall, John 10 26 7:46.72

8 Swerdlow, Charles 10 95 8:06.46

-- Bonsall, Fairfield 11 498 DNS

 

Girls 1-Mile race results:

1. O'Shea, Ashley 09 Stony Brook, NY 7:42.36

2 Zoyhofski, Rachel 09 Rochester, NY 7:48.60

3 Josephs, Molly 12 Garden City, NY 7:48.64

4 Sorensen, Nicolette 13 Lafayette, CA 7:49.80

5 Chin, Allison 10 Tipp City, OH 7:55.12

6 Dunn, Abby 12 Auburn, ME 8:01.68

7 Ortiz, Claudia 11 McAllen, TX 8:05.77

8 Reybal, Jessica 11 McAllen, TX 8:13.41

9 DeFranco, Carley 09 Rush, NY 8:17.96

10 Savage, Tyeasha 05 New Rochelle, NY 8:18.78

11 Lenard, Keara 13 Rossville, KS 8:24.46

12 Kenney, Sarah 12 Yellow Springs, OH 8:25.68

13 Court-Menendez, Nicole 12 Lewiston, ME 8:25.77

14 Bernier, Christie 10 Auburn, ME 8:32.58

15 Walker, Alexandra 09 Henrietta, NY 8:35.33

16 Tylock, Rachael 11 Henrietta, NY 8:53.06

17 Irwin, Rebecca 11 Webster, NY 8:53.77

18 Reed, Emily 11 Farmington, ME 9:00.97

19 Flores, Diana 12 McAllen, TX 9:11.19

-- Shaver, Erika 10 Yellow Springs, OH DQ loss of contact

-- Lalane, Destiny 10 Bay Shore, NY DQ loss of contact 

-- Mercouris, Jennifer 10 Bayport, NY DNS 

 March 8, 2009  PRESS RELEASEFrom: A.C. Jaime956.281.6659PSJA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLRACEWALK TOURNAMENT RESULTS  Sixty-three PSJA Elementary School Children participated at the First and Second rounds of the PSJA Elementary School Racewalk Tournament this Saturday and Sunday, March 7^th and 8^th.  There were some surprises in these first two rounds among the children that have been racewalking less than three weeks and more are anticipated on the third round which will take place on Sunday, March 22^nd at the PSJA High School Stadium on Ridge Road in San Juan.  There were no eliminations on the first two rounds as the children walked their fastest they had ever walked under the watchful eye of our local law and fire department volunteer officers.  The officers were serving as racewalk judges for the first time ever and appeared to enjoy the chance to advise, mingle with and help our children succeed in their events.   All the children succeeded in earning the right to represent their North and South section of their community.  The majority of the children are expected to advance in their different age brackets after this round.  However, the third round will see some eliminations as the Pharr South and North eleven year old girls will compete to earn the right to represent Pharr at the Sunday, March 29^th Tri-City Racewalk Championship.  Eleven year old Idalis Rivera, Leslie Acosta and Lucero Martinez from North Pharr will face a strong contingent of ten South Pharr eleven year olds led by Crystal Nicole Florido, Taiz Cortez, Ana Vasquez and Yanneli Bustos.   Officers serving as judges were Texas State Trooper Maria Martinez and Steve Recci; Hidalgo County Deputy Monica Guajardo and Investigator John Ortega; Pharr Police Officers Daniel Garcia and J.C. Aguirre; San Juan Police Officers Luis Briseño and Angel Yerena; Alamo Police Officers Jacob Garcia and Jonathon Scaggs; Pharr Fire Department Officer Dagoberto Soto; Michigan Retired County Deputy Robert Tarkowski and Club Members Charles Smith from New York and Keith Conquest from Pharr.  The South Texas Walking Club parents conducted the tournament and were assisted by Two- Time National Junior Olympic Silver Medalist Geraldo Flores, Junior Olympic Gold Medalist Diana Lee Flores, Junior Olympic Two Time Gold Medalist  Ariana Guzman, Five Time Junior Olympic Gold Medalist and Record Holder Claudia Ortiz and Five Time High School All American Record Holder Alex Chavez. The Hidalgo County Probation Department also helped make these first two rounds of the tournament a great success.  The results for the 1200 Meter race are attached.    

 March 8, 2009 1200 Meter Racewalk Tournament 

Second Round Results 

 South Pharr Girls – 9 year olds

Place               Name                          Time                           School

1.      Garza, Bianca                       7:36                            Palmer

2.      Wisby, Lourdes                    9:12                            Pharr

3.      Frias, Victoria                       9:24                            Carnahan

4.      Gonzalez, Cassandra           9:33                            Palmer

5.      Baumann, Jayme                  10:50                          Whitney

6.      Ruiz, Emily                           11:20                          Pharr  

South Pharr Girls – 10 year olds

Place               Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Guajardo, Amanda               9:08                            Cesar Chavez

2.      Sanchez, Andrea                  9:17                            Cesar Chavez

3.      Gortarez, Faith                      10:12                          Carnahan  

South Pharr Girls – 11 year olds

Place               Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Florido, Crystal                    7:37                            Carnahan

2.      Cortez, Taiz                           7:49                            South Pharr 

  3.      Vasquez, Ana                        8:04                            Whitney

4.      Bustos, Yanelli                     8:18                            South Pharr

5.      Perez, Lesly                           8:41                            South Pharr

6.      Escobedo, Arlene                 8:58                            South Pharr

7.      Villagomez, Jessica             9:38                            Pharr

8.      Garza, Victoria                     9:46                             Pharr

9.      Ramirez, Jennifer                9:58                             South Pharr

10. Ruiz, Marisol                        9:59                            Cesar Chavez 

 North Pharr Girls – 9 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Pichardo, Bella                     8:59                            Ramirez  

North Pharr Girls – 10 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Martinez, Cielo                     9:34                            Napper 

March 8, 2009 1200 Meter Racewalk Tournament Second Round Results

 North Pharr Girls – 11 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1        Rivera, Idalis                         8:00                            Longoria

2.      Acosta, Leslie                       9:17                            Longoria

3.      Martinez, Lucero                  10:38                          Napper 

 North Pharr Girls – 12 year olds and Older

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1        Melendez, Amberly             7:22                            Longoria

2        Garza, Alejandra                  8:35                            Napper  

North San Juan Girls – 8 year olds and Under

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1        Garza, Kaycee                      11:03                          Reed – Mock

2        Perez, Yanette                       13:42                          Pharr   

North San Juan Girls – 9 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1        Gonzalez, Hazel                   8:53                            Treviño

2        Murillo, Jennifer                  11:09                          Treviño 

 North San Juan Girls – 10 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1        Davila, Daniela                     8:16                            Treviño

2        Martinez, Janelle                  8:21                            Treviño

3        Nicanor, Alisha                    9:06                            Treviño  

North San Juan Girls – 11 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1        Castiellja, Diana                   7:36                            Treviño

2        De Leon, Clarissa                 8:07                            Treviño

3        Elizardo, Regina                   9:01                            Clover

4        Chapa, Myrka                       10:14                          Treviño

March 8, 2009 1200 Meter Racewalk Tournament Second Round Results  North San Juan Girls – 12 year olds and Over

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Diaz, Sasha                            7:14                            Treviño

2.      Guerra, Monica                    9:27                            Treviño  

South San Juan Girls – 8 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Leal, Perla                             8:31                            Carmen  

South San Juan Girls – 12 year olds and Over

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Leal, Sofia                             8:21                            Carmen  

South Alamo Girls – 9 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Martinez, Elizabeth                         11:52                          Farias

South Alamo Girls – 10 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Sanchez, Jasmine                 9:54                            Bowie

March 8, 2009 1200 Meter Racewalk Tournament Second Round Results  South Pharr Boys – 9 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Lopez, Angel                         10:05                          South Pharr  

South Pharr Boys – 10 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Uria, Eduardo                       9:07                            Palmer

2.      Ramirez, Carlo                      9:32                            Pharr  

South Pharr Boys – 11 year olds

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Muñoz, Eduardo                   9:34                            South Pharr  

South Pharr Boys – 12 year olds and Older

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Escobedo, Alejandro           9:33                            South Pharr  

North Pharr Boys – 12 year olds and Older

Place   Name                                      Time                           School

1.      Lopez, Juan                           10:25