South Texas Walking Club

This past weekend, the South Texas Walking Club sent 9 of its best walkers to compete in the two High School Indoor National Scholastic Championships. The first one took place in Maryland on Saturday, and the second one took place after a 6 hour drive to New York, on Sunday. The kids did a tremendous job, especially the girls who, as you can see, were the youngest in the field. All of the girls were competing for the first time indoors. You could tell that in Maryland they were a bit timid, but by the time they got to the Armory in New York, were much better prepared for the excitment that indoors is all about. On Saturday in Maryland, Corina Ortiz led the group walking a very good time (especially for a 7th grader!!) of 8:47.76 placing 11th. The next day she came back and in a very heated battle placed 24th walking an even faster time of 8:34.06. Jeanette Avitia showed why she is such a good athlete. On Satuday she placed 14th walking a time of 8:59.07, but on Sunday she came back and walked her best time again - 8:33.91, placing 22nd but winning her heat and beating out the other STWC girls. Samantha Olivarez, only a 6th grader, was very nervous on Satuday. It was her first race indoors, and there were more people watching the races than she had ever seen at a track meet. She placed 17th with a time of 9:21.44. Samantha was visible upset, but the next day in the Big Apple she came back to walk almost 50 seconds faster to place 2nd in her heat, and 23rd everall with a great time of 8:33.95. Karla Mireless, still only a 7th grader, placed 15th on Saturday with a time of 9:20.46, which at the time was her best time. The long drive up to NY though did not hurt her, as broke 9 minutes for the first time placing 33rd with a great time of 8:52.24. To show you what an amazing race it was for the kids from STWC, the first three girls were only .15 seconds apart at the end of the race - an amazing photo finish!! 22 Avitia, Jeanette 7 South Texas Walk 8:33.91 ** PR 23 Olivarez, Samantha 7 South Texas Walk 8:33.95 ** PR 24 Ortiz, Corina 7 South Texas Walk 8:34.06 ** PR The boys did a great job also. Chris Diaz placed 2nd in both Maryland and New York, earning High School All-American status for the first time in NY, and his second time in Maryland. The first race he had a great battle with Zach Polinger, walking a time of 6:22.70. The next day he came back and placed 2nd again to Zach, this time walking a time of 6:31.70. While Chris walked two great races, he was also able to meet some great kids from Maine, fostering some great friendships I am sure. Roberto Vergara - a member of the best family in racewalking right now in America, walked a very smart race in Maryland placing 5th and earnning All-American Status. His time of 7:15.09 was his best time ever. The next day in New York, he placed 6th and earned All-American Status again walking an amazing 7:09.76. Ricardo Vergara, twin brother of Roberto, walked 7:20.91 to place 6th and earn his first High School All-American status. On Sunday in the Big Apple he placed 7th with his new best time of 7:17.46, just missing a medal. It must be remembered though, that neither of the twins are in High School - both are in 8th grade and show some tremendous potential. Meanwhile, their older brother Ernesto placed 8th in Maryland with a time of 7:49.60. But the next day, he amazed everyone by pacing 8th again, walking a new personal best time of 7:33.95. Ernesto, an 11th grader, promised us that he would catch his younger brothers and we are going to hold him to that promise. Not to be forgotten is Adrian Jaime. Adrian, grandson of Coach Jaime, came so close all season to breaking the invisible 8 minute barrier but he just could not do it. Then he comes to compete in his first High School Indoor National Scholastic Championships. It was just what he needed. He placed 9th with a time of 7:56.16, breaking 8 minutes for the first time. The next day in the city that never sleeps, he proved that it was not a fluke and walked 7:52.39, to place 9th again. WOW, what a weekend for him!! Great job to all the kids and special thanks to Coach Jaime, Noelia Perez and Mrs. Olivarez for accompanying the kids. After the races the kids went to NY City for the first time and saw Times Square as well as the Empire State Building.