“Do your best, don’t sweat the rest.”
That’s the motto of Midland Legacy girls' track and field Coach Frank Maldonado, who is leading a talented, athletic team eyeing a district crown after two straight years placing second.
“This may be the fastest team in eight years,” said coach Maldonado, who has been coaching track for 18 years with eight years at Midland Legacy High School. “We need to strengthen our hurdles and middle distance, and develop depths in the jumps.”
Last year there were three school records broken by Rebels. Leah Acosta set the record in discus at 167 feet, Ana Salazar set the pole vault record at 10 feet, 3 inches, and Aaralyn Strambler had a time of 12.01 in the 100 meters for a school record.
While Acosta and Salazar graduated, Strambler and Bolaji Subair are returning for their senior season and are a pair of athletes to watch out for. Strambler was the district champion in the 100 meters, and was an area and regional qualifier in the 100 meters, long jump and both the 4X100 and 4X200 meter relay teams. Shot put and discus thrower Subair was fifth in the state last season in discus, and was also an area and regional qualifier in the event.
Returners to the team this season are as follows:
SENIORS
Aaralyn Strambler: sprinter, jumper (district champion and state, regional, area qualifier)
Bolaji Subair: discus/shot put (state, regional, area qualifier)
Jenna Gray: sprinter (4X200 relay qualifier)
Elizabeth Garcia: pole vault
Isabella Reyna: distance
Mia Regalado: distance
Pam Outarra: shot put/discus
JUNIORS
Aliyah Valdez: sprinter (area and regional qualifier in 4X100 and 200)
Ana Salazar: pole vault/400
Kierra Hickey: sprinter
Abbye Ramos: 400, hurdles
Tagan Treadwell: hurdles
Kyndall Jones: distance
Dasmien Johnson: hurdles
Sydnee Patman: shot put/discus
Kate Stansell: high jump (area and regional qualifier)
SOPHOMORES
Tarayah Hubert: sprinter (area and regional qualifier in 4X100)
Jada Mathis: 400, sprinter (area and regional qualifier in 4X100 and 400)
Madison Gonzales: shot put/discus
Demaya Douglas: high jump
There are three sophomore newcomers to the team including sprinters Iyanna Smith and Jaelyn Norman, and Oluwasseun Subair in hurdles. New freshmen are sprinters Skye Lopez and Cayzli Wilson, and distance runner Abby Hinojosa.
“Strambler, Subair, Stansell, Gonzales, Salazar, Outarra are all potential district champions,” Maldonado said. “Norman, Wilson, Smith, Hinojosa are all young and very fast. Our speed relays should be very competitive and fast.”
The first meet of the season is on February 9 for the Tall City Relays at Midland Memorial Stadium, and the team will be at full strength for the San Angelo Relays on March 22 and 23 at San Angelo Stadium. One thing is for certain that Maldonado has one goal in mind this year: “win the district.”