Spearman speedster Brenen Thompson won gold in three events during the Region I-3A track meet at Abilene Christian on Saturday. [Daniel Youngblood/ Big Country Preps]
Spearman’s Brenen Thompson made his name national when he smoked the Canadian track meet for a 10.1 a year ago.
Not two days later the coronavirus pandemic shut all academics and athletics down for the remainder of the school year not allowing Thompson a chance to shine on the major platform at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.
Fast forward 13 months later and the lightning fast junior with 37 Division I offers ran with his opporiunty given Saturday during the Region I-3A track and field meet at Abilene Christian University.
Thompson punched his ticket to state in dominating fashion using his electrifying speed to gain gold in three events.
“Last year was tough on all of us,” Thompson said. “There were a lot of things COVID-19 halted. But it was great to get out and compete at regionals with my teammates. This means a lot to get to state.”
Thompson, who helped the Lynx to a third place team finish (37 points) put on a show in Friday’s prelims blazing a meet record 10.38 in the 100 meter dash. Saturday, Thompson was back burning the track opening the running finals with a gold medal performance as part of the 400 meter relay (43.28). Thompson then sprinted to a 10.46 100 meter dash for his second gold medal, and closed out the meet with a 21.17 to claim victory in the 200 meter.
Canadian‘s Rylun Clark dives at the finish line to earn the Wildcats 1600 meter relay a silver medal during the Region I-3A track meet at Abilene Christian on Saturday. [Daniel Youngblood/ Big Country Preps]
The Canadian boys 1600 meter relay proved as gutsy on the track as they are on the football field. The foursome of Hayze Hufstedler, Joshua Culwell, Angel Garcia and Rylun Clark, weren’t going to be denied a trip to Austin. Coming down the stretch on the final leg Clark was neck and neck Slaton’s Damion Tagle. Heading toward the exciting finish Clark dove for the line giving the Wildcats a thrilling win, and earning the second place spot by eight-thousands of a second.
“What can you say,” Canadian boys track coach Morgan Brady said. “Rylun had scratched himself from the 800 meter run to be a part of this relay, and he did what it took to get us to state. I’m proud of these guys. They are carrying on a great tradition.”
Ballinger held off Canadian to win the dramatic relay.
On Friday, River Road’s Crawford Kiser made a reservation in Austin by breaking the school-record in the 3200 meter run earning a silver medal clocking a personal-best 9:47.07.
Spearman’s Candice Mackie, right, hands off to Maggie Davis during the 1600 meter relay at the Region I-3A track meet at Abilene Christian on Saturday. [Daniel Youngblood/ Big Country Preps]
On the girls side, Spearman totaled 50 points to come in third overall. The Lynxettes had a great performance on the track led by freshman Braylen Lusby. Lusby ran a smooth 300 meter hurdle race to grab a gold medal with a time of 45.67. The 1600 meter relay team of Oh gotcha— Lusby, Candice Mackie, Maggie Davis and Mia Pipkin — also ran their best time of the year thanks to a 3:59.09.
Spearman wasn’t the only school with tremendous performances. The Bushland 400 meter relay team of Haylee Sessions, Corley Carr, Caitlyn Culwell and Jesse Fowler found the gold medal stand running a season-best time of 49.62. Canadian’s Mattie Boyd dominated the field events advancing to state by gaining a victory in the discus (129-0), followed by silver in the shot (38-2).
The University Interscholastic League Class 3A state track and field meet is set for Thursday, May 6, at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.
For full results of the Region I-3A track meet, visit http://Live.athletic.net
Amarillo-area state qualifiers
Boys
100 meters
1st: Brenen Thompson, Spearman 10.46
200 meters
1st: Brenen Thompson, Spearman, 21.73
800 meters
2nd: Tulia’s Hayden Montgomery, 2:00.37
3200 meter run
2nd: Crawford Kiser, River Road, 9:47.07
400 meter relay
2nd: Spearman, 43.28
1600 meter relay
2nd: Canadian, 3:25.62
Pole vault
1st: Max Baca, Dalhart, 14-0
Girls
100 meters
1st: Samantha Krehbiel, 12.35
2nd: Jesse Fowler, Bushland, 12.55
800 meters
1st: Mia Pipkin, Spearman, 2:20.07
300 hurdles
1st: Braylen Lusby, Spearman, 45.67
400 meter relay
1st: Bushland (Haylee Sessions, Corley Carr, Caitlyn Culwell, Jesse Fowler), 49.62
800 meter relay
2nd: Childress, 1:45.37
1600 meter relay
2nd: Spearman, 3:59.09
Long jump
2nd: Canice Mackey, Spearman, 18-0
Pole vault
1st: Ashley Amico, Dalhart, 11-6
Discus
1st: Mattie Boyd, Canadian, 129-0
Shot put
1st: Jillian Howell, Bushland, 39-9
2nd: Mattie Boyd, Canadian, 38-2
