South Texas Walking Club

Since I know that there are 100's of walking fans out there waiting for the latest news and results of your favorite Texas Superstars aka the FIGHTING TURTLES, I wanted to get these results out as quickly as possible so that everyone can get prepared for the two big results that will come tomorrows. The first of course being the USATF Youth Road Walk Nationals that are being held in Pharrr, Texaas and the second being a minor 50km that will be held on Long Island that will determine the rest of the summer for our 50km Team. Taking it easy for the big day tomorrow, here are the early and unofficial results that have just been phoned in from Coach Jaime" Girls overall: 1. Bailey Shannon - 9:26 2. Claudia Ortiz - 9:33 3. Ruby Perez - 9:33 4. Corina Ortiz - 9:34 5. Sarah Garcia - 9:44 6. Jeanette Avitia - 9:46 Boys overall: 1. Chris Diaz - 7:34 2. Andres Jaime - 9:07 3. Roberto Vergara - 9:08 4. Ricardo Vergara - 9:15 5. Adrian Jaime - 9:20 Tommorrow will feature a 1500m, 3000m, and a 5,000m race for the kids. New Jersey’s Top 13 year old athlete, Allison Snochowski, and Houston’s 13 year old Carla Redfearn will be competing. Allison is an USATF and AAU three time National Champion and Carla was the 1999 USATF National Champion. Also Walking the Valley’s First 5000-Meter Outdoor National Youth Championship walk will be three time National USATF and AAU Champion 15 year old Dana Vered of New Jersey. The championship meet is free and open to all 8 to 18 year old children. Trophies will be awarded to all 1st through 6th place boys and girls winners in each age category

PRESS RELEASE effective Friday May 16, 2003 To: The Sports Department From: A. C. Jaime, Treasurer, South Texas Walking Club, Phone – 956-686-2337 National Youth Walk Meet The National USATF Youth Road Racewalk Championship meet will be held in the Valley for the first time ever and our local children will be host to some of the Nations Top Youth Athletes. New Jersey’s Top 13 year old athlete, Allison Snochowski, and Houston’s Princess of the Road, 13 years old Carla Redfearn, will travel to the Valley to compete with 13 year old Corina Ortiz of Sharyland, 14 year old Ruby Perez of Weslaco, 13 year old Ricardo and Roberto Vergara of Edinburg, 13 year old Abraham Villarreal of Donna, and several other newcomer’s. Allison is an USATF and AAU three time National Champion and Carla was the 1999 USATF National Champion. Corina and Roberto were the 2002 AAU silver medallists and Ricardo, Abraham and Ruby were 3rd, 4th, and 5th place finishers at the same race. Ricardo and Roberto met Allison at the New York Indoor One-Mile Championship last month but did not race together as they will this week in the Valley’s First 3000 meter Outdoor National Youth Championship Race. Also Walking the Valley’s First 5000-Meter Outdoor National Youth Championship walk will be three time National USATF and AAU Champion 15 year old Dana Vered of New Jersey, National AAU Champion 17 year old Adrian Jaime of McAllen, three times AAU National Champion and member of the National Junior Team 17 year old Chris Diaz of McAllen, and several newcomers including 15 year old Ernersto Vergara of Edinburg, 15 year old Cindy Resendez of Pharr, 15 year old Kimiko Villarreal of Mission, and 16 year Jose Saenz of McAllen. The Valley is loaded with great twelve and under athletes but unfortunately, they have not yet drawn any outside competition. Competing in this age bracket will be the Valley’s 2002 AAU National 10 year old Gold medallist and record holder Claudia Ortiz of Mission, and two time gold medallist 12 years old Jeanette Avitia of Pharr. Also competing in this age bracket will be 2002 11 year old AAU Silver medallist Elizabeth Villarreal of Donna, and 12 year old Andres Jaime of McAllen; 2002 10 year old AAU bronze medallist Crystal Mireles of Alamo, and 11 year old Marcos Keller of Pharr; 2002 10 year old AAU Copper medallist Laura Zepeda of Weslaco, 11 year old Brooke Shannon of Sharyland, and 12 year old Samantha Olivarez of Edinburg; and 2000 11 year old AAU 5th place winner Sarah Garcia, 9th place winner 12 year old Karla Mireles of Alamo, and approximately 100 other beginners. The championship meet is free and open to all 8 to 18 year old children. Trophies will be awarded to all 1st through 6th place boys and girls winners in each age category. Please call (956) 686-2337 for more information.

PRESS RELEASE effective Monday, May 12, 2003 To: The Sports Department From: A. C. Jaime, Treasurer, South Texas Walking Club, Phone – 956-686-2337 Children’s One Mile Walk Series – McAllen – Week 4 With temperatures over 100 degrees, Gonzalez Elementary School of McAllen walked away with the 32” Traveling Trophy presented by the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Texas Society of CPAs at the 4th week walk series held in McAllen Saturday. The winners were led by Ashley and Sharon Zarate who took 2nd and 4th place respectively in the girls 8 & under age division. They were accompanied by their brother Manuel who also took 2nd place in the boys 9 year age division and school mates Adrian and sister Andrea Vidargas who took 6th place in their respective 9 and 8 & under age divisions. Napper and Carnahan schools of Pharr took 2nd and 3rd place respectively. McAllen High and Shary Elementary Schools tied for 4th place while Garza Elementary School of San Juan, South Middle School of Edinburg and Garza Elementary School of Mission tied for 6th place. Children from 32 schools participated in the walk. The girl winners were as follows: Overall: (1) Corina Ortiz 8:56; (2) Ruby Perez 9:24; (3) Bailey Shannon 9:25; (4) Claudia Ortiz 9:46; (5) Maria Villarreal 9:48; (6) Brooke Shannon 9:56 8 & Under: (1) Myra Martinez 10:31; (2) Ashley Zarate 11:51; (3) Angela Diaz 12:28; (4) Sharon Zarate 14:23; (5) Ivette Cedillo 14:50; (6) Andrea Vidargas 15:33 9 year olds: (1) Diana Flores 11:25; (2) Abby Koenig 11:54:23; (3) Miranda Poarch 11:54:53; (4) Carolina Garcia 12:19; (5) Carolina Valadez 13:00 10 year olds: (1) Claudia Ortiz 9:46; (2) Crystal Mireles 12:07; (3) Jessica Reybal 12:26; (4) Dinorah Moreno 13:04; (5) Rosa Montelongo 13:27 11 year olds: (1) Bailey Shannon 9:25; (2) Brooke Shannon 9:56; (3) Sarah Garcia 10:14; (4) Maria Villarreal 10:48; (5) Nicole Gomez 11:53 (6) Marlene Martinez 11:54 12 year olds: (1) Karla Mireles 10:20; (2) Anaid Crosby 12:19 13 year olds: (1) Corina Ortiz 8:56 14 year olds: (1) Ruby Perez 9:24; (2) Mayra Garcia 10:40 15 year olds: (1) Kimiko Villarreal 10:47 The boy winners were as follows: Overall: (1) Chris Diaz 6:53; (2) Roberto Vergara 7:59; (now leads twin brother 4-1 for the year) (3) Ricardo Vergara 8:05; (4) Adrian Jaime 8:34; (first race since coming back from England) (5) Abraham Villarreal 8:42; (6) Andres Jaime 9:08 (fastest time this year) 8 & Under: (1) Steven Valadez 12:28 9 year olds: (1) Casey Ramirez 10:48; (2) Manuel Zarate 13:02; (3) Eric Escaname 13:06; (4) Ricky Lara 13:07; (5) Humberto Alaniz 14:06; (6) Adrian Vidargas 14:46 10 year olds: (1) Ricky Vasquez 14:19 11 year olds: (1) Brian Valadez 10:29; (PR) (2) Marcos Kellar 10:32; (fastest time this year) (3) Arcadio Resendez 10:35; (4) Cesar Rodriguez 13:30 12 year olds: (1) Andres Jaime 9:08; (2) Bernie Garcia 11:35; (3) Eric Ramirez 12:05; (4) Eddrik Almazan 12:50 13 year olds: (1) Roberto Vergara 7:59; (2) Ricardo Vergara 8:05; (3) Abraham Villarreal 8:42 16 year olds: (1) Jose Saenz 9:11 (first race ever? - Great job!!) 17 year olds: (1) Chris Diaz 6:53; (2) Adrian Jaime 8:34

From Coach AC Jaime Children’s One Mile Walk Napper Elementary and Carnahan Elementary schools of Pharr tie for 1st place with thirteen points each at the Edinburg One Mile Walk this Saturday. Napper was led by Steven (8), Bryan (10) and Carolina Valadez (8) while Carnahan was led by newcomer and walking sensations Diane Flores (9) and Mayra Martinez (8) assisted by sister Giesy Marlenne Martinez. Tying for 3rd place were Pharr Elementary of Pharr and Garza Elementary and Shary Elementary of Sharyland. Sixth place was also tied by Freddy Gonzalez Elementary of Edinburg and Liberty Middle School of Pharr. A total of 29 schools participated at this week’s walk series. The next walk will be held at the McAllen Stadium this Saturday, May 10th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Boys and girls winners at this week’s walk series were as follows: Boys: 8 & Under: (1) Gerardo Ruiz 11:35; (2) Steven Valadez 11:43; (3) Casey Ramirez 11:59; (4)Jeremy Alvarez 12:56; (5) Eric Escaname 13:51; (6) Ricardo Lara 14:50 9 Year Olds: 1) Esteban Kellar 12:12 10 Year Olds: (1) Marcos Kellar 10:33; (2) Arcadio Resendez 10:52; (3) Bryan Valadez 11:01; (4) Ricky Vasquez 14:55 11 Year Olds: (1) Bernie Garcia 11:42 12 Year Olds: (1) Roberto Vergara 7:54; (2) Abraham Villarreal 8:54 15 Year Olds: (1) Ernesto Vergara 8:09 (His best time by 25 seconds!) 16 Year Olds: (1) Chris Diaz 6:54 (Fastest time in the US this season) Girls: 8 & Under: (1) Mayra Martinez 11:15; (2) Carolina Garcia 13:01; (3) Carolina Valadez 13:24; (4) Leslie Sepulveda 13:52; (5) Luana Madrid-Mirabar 13:56; (6) Pamela Garza 14:06 9 Year Olds: (1) Diana Flores 11:13; (2) Crystal Mireles 11:41; (3) Maria Garcia 12:12; (4)Miranda Poarch 12:29; (5) Nicole Kelley 12:34; (6) Abbey Koenig 13:13 10 Year Olds: (1) Claudia Ortiz 9:31; (2) Bailey Shannon 9:47; (3) Brooke Shannon 9:57; (4) Melissa Carrisales 10:23; (5) Alejandra Thomas 10:47; (6) Marlene Martinez 11:00 11 Year Olds: (1) Samantha Olivarez 8:59; (her fastest time ever??) (2) Sara Garcia 10:08; (3) Maria Villarreal 10:41; (4) Stephanie Olivarez 11:06; (5) Maria Garza 12:00 12 Year Olds: (1) Corina Ortiz 9:11; (2) Jeanette Avitia 9:33; (3) Karla Mireles 9:56 14 Year Olds: (1) Myra Garcia 11:58

USA Track and Field is coming to South Texas. On May 25th, in Pharr, Texas, The South Texas Walking Club will be hosting the National USATF YOUTH ROAD Racewalk Championships. The Closest airports to fly into are McAllen (MFE) and Harlingin (HRL). This will be the first time that USATF will be exposed to many of the kids and everyone is looking forward to having as many of you join us as possible. Basic info is below, but you can get an application at www.eteams.com/stwc and click on the link for the YOUTH ROAD RACEWALK Championships in the middle of the page. Also, there will be TWO (2) USATF Jr. Olympic Meets in Pharr, Texas this summer. This will be a chance for all kids in every track and field event to compete, for the first time, in a USATF Jr. Olympic Event. June 28st: USATF Jr. Olympic Association Meet July 15th: USATF Jr. Olympic Regional Meet (Racewalking events on the 19th) The USATF Junior Olympic Association meet has been held in San Antonio for the last 3 years, while the USATF Jr. Olympic Regional meet has been held in Houston. Normally, in order to compete in these the kids would have to drive 4 hours to San Antonio and almost 6 hours to Houston. They are being brought to South Texas thanks to the hard work of Coach A.C. Jaime and the Pharr city commission, the McAllen, Pharr and Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, and most of all the PSJA ISD were also very helpful in landing the Association and Regional meets in Pharr and Pan American University - where three of our events not available at our stadium will be contested. (Steeplechase for example) We are hoping that if we can put on a good enough show for everyone, that next year we could be in line to get the Big KAHONA as they say, and host the USATF Jr. Olympic Games!!! OK, Here is the basic information about the YOUTH ROAD WALK Championships: Free for all 8 to 18 year old children Date & Location: Sunday 5/25/03 Pharr City Hall Pharr (So. 281 & Park St.) Estimated Starting Times: 1500 Meter Walk - 8:00 a.m. (ages 9 thru 11 as of 12/31/03) 3000 Meter Walk - 8:30 a.m. (12 & under as of 12/31/03) 5000 Meter Walk - 8:45 a.m. (13 through 18 as of 8/3/03) www.eteamz.com/stwc Requirements: Children should report to City Hall at least 45 minutes before their race to obtain their rodeo number and to warm up. Use comfortable shorts that do not cover the knees. Refreshments: Assorted Fruits, Juices and Water Awards: Trophies to Boys & Girls will be awarded to National 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners in the 12 & under and 13 to 18 year old age divisions. And also trophies to Boys & Girls 1st , 2nd , & 3rd place winners and ribbons for 4th, 5th, & 6th place winners in each of the following age groups: 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17&18 Additional National Champion patch (1st place) and medals (1st thru 3rd) in USATF 2-year divisions will be awarded to walkers who are USATF members. The Texas Youth Race Walking Award trophy will be given for one year to the team with the best 5-person score. Judges: Bert Pickell of San Antonio, Dave Gwyn of Houston, Janis Bluhm of George West, Laverne Nielson and Keith Conquest of Pharr.