WACO, Texas – The Travis Science Academy 7th Grade Mustang Track & Field team put on an impressive display of speed, strength, and stamina on Wednesday, March 25, at Paul Tyson Field.
Competing in the Waco ISD Relays, the Mustangs secured a strong 2nd Place finish in the overall team standings, racking up 117 points. While Robinson took the top spot with 160 points, Travis comfortably outpaced Tennyson, who finished 3rd with 79.5.
Podium Power: Medalists Lead the Way
The Mustangs were spearheaded by a collection of gold, silver, and bronze performances. The relay teams were particularly dominant, sweeping the top spots in the shorter distances. The 4x100 Relay team (Jeremiah Green, Bradyn Rayson, Wayne Smith, Jaliel Gates) blazed a trail to 1st Place with a time of 49.64, while the 4x200 Relay team (Bradyn Rayson, Wayne Smith, Felix Arizmendi, Jaliel Gates) followed suit with another 1st Place finish at 1:47.78.
Jaliel Gates emerged as a standout individual performer, securing 1st Place in the High Jump with a leap of 5’3 and a 2nd Place finish in the 100-meter dash. Elijah Hogue also had a stellar day in the field, taking home silver medals with 2nd Place finishes in both the Long Jump (17’8) and the High Jump (5’2).
Other bronze medalists who anchored the Mustangs' high score included Nathan Mwerenga (3rd – 2400m), Bradyn Rayson (3rd – 100m), Felix Arizmendi (3rd – 300m Hurdles), Maximiliano Rangel (3rd – 200m), and Jaxon McVade (3rd – Shot Put).
Mustang Participants and Performances
The success of the team was built on the collective effort of every athlete who stepped onto the track or into the field:
Jaliel Gates: 1st Place High Jump; 2nd Place 100m; 1st Place 4x100 and 4x200 Relays.
Elijah Hogue: 2nd Place Long Jump; 2nd Place High Jump.
Bradyn Rayson: 3rd Place 100m; 1st Place 4x100 and 4x200 Relays.
Nathan Mwerenga: 3rd Place 2400m; 10th Place 1600m; 6th Place 4x400 Relay.
Felix Arizmendi: 3rd Place 300m Hurdles; 1st Place 4x200 Relay; 6th Place 4x400 Relay.
Maximiliano Rangel: 3rd Place 200m; 11th Place 400m.
Jaxon McVade: 3rd Place Shot Put; 12th Place 200m.
Wayne Smith: 6th Place Long Jump; 1st Place 4x100 and 4x200 Relays; 6th Place 4x400 Relay.
Jeremiah Green: 6th Place 100m; 8th Place 200m; 7th Place Long Jump; 6th Place Triple Jump; 1st Place 4x100 Relay.
Yariel Reyes: 5th Place 300m Hurdles; 9th Place 800m; 6th Place 4x400 Relay.
Zaylynn Harris: 4th Place Shot Put.
Zayden Henry: 5th Place Shot Put.
Kameron Simms: 10th Place 400m.
Joseph Steele: 11th Place 800m.
Looking Ahead: The Road to District
The Mustangs will look to carry this momentum into their next challenge on April 1st at the Central Texas District Divisional Meet, held at Lake Belton High School. The stakes will be high, as the top four finishers in each event will earn their ticket to the Central Texas District Track & Field Championships.
"With several athletes already hitting their stride, the Mustangs are well-positioned to send a large contingent to the finals."
