This Bandera Bulldog News Is Brought To You By:
|
|
Download & Print
Courtesy photos
April 11, 2024
Snavely, Leyva advance to regionals with strong area showings
By Brady Keane
The Bandera Prophet
Sam Snavely and Esteban Leyva were both seeded just on the edge of the advancement mark of their respective races entering Wednesday’s area track meet at New Braunfels Canyon, but both Bulldogs had a strong showing to clinch a spot at the regional meet in both the 400m run and the 110m hurdles.
Leyva seeded seventh in the 110m hurdles with a district time of 16.36, shocked the field and placed fourth with a time of 16.55 while competing in heavy wind conditions. Leyva advanced to regionals alongside Boerne’s McCoy Bruce (15.37), Davenport’s Clayton Williams (15.87) and YMLA’s Raishaun Conaway (15.97). Leyva finished more than a full second ahead of the fifth-place competitor, Cuero’s Jaxxon Marie (17.68).
“Esteban has worked hard all year on perfecting his form and running clean races,” Bandera Head Track Coach Sam Farrell said. “That definitely paid off Wednesday with a regional qualifying finish. He was pretty fired up and is excited to continue competing.”
In the 400m run, Snavely was seeded fourth with a time of 51.11 at the district meet. Snavely posted a 51.46 to finish fourth, cruising past the fifth-place competitor, Cuero’s Kaimarye Lopez (53.11). Snavely will advance to regionals alongside Boerne’s Woodrow Goen (50.59), Davenport’s Jaylin Morrow (51.07) and Navarro’s Xavier Cropper (51.20).
“Sam got out hard and ate up the stagger on Lane 8 before the first turn was over,” Farrell said. “He pushed through the wind on the back and closed the gap down the stretch. We’re looking now for him to run hard and compete for a chance at the state meet.”
The Bulldogs will now begin preparations for the Class 4A Region IV meet to be held April 19-20, at Texas A&M Kingsville. The top two competitors in each event at the regional meet will advance to the Class 4A state track meet at the University of Texas on May 2-4.
“For Esteban we’re going to look at improving his start and get him out a little bit faster,” Farrell said. “We want to carry a little more speed into the first two hurdles and polish that up. For Sam, we’re going to some good speed work and get one solid workout pushing his lactic threshold to help the back half of his race. We’re excited.”
Leyva seeded seventh in the 110m hurdles with a district time of 16.36, shocked the field and placed fourth with a time of 16.55 while competing in heavy wind conditions. Leyva advanced to regionals alongside Boerne’s McCoy Bruce (15.37), Davenport’s Clayton Williams (15.87) and YMLA’s Raishaun Conaway (15.97). Leyva finished more than a full second ahead of the fifth-place competitor, Cuero’s Jaxxon Marie (17.68).
“Esteban has worked hard all year on perfecting his form and running clean races,” Bandera Head Track Coach Sam Farrell said. “That definitely paid off Wednesday with a regional qualifying finish. He was pretty fired up and is excited to continue competing.”
In the 400m run, Snavely was seeded fourth with a time of 51.11 at the district meet. Snavely posted a 51.46 to finish fourth, cruising past the fifth-place competitor, Cuero’s Kaimarye Lopez (53.11). Snavely will advance to regionals alongside Boerne’s Woodrow Goen (50.59), Davenport’s Jaylin Morrow (51.07) and Navarro’s Xavier Cropper (51.20).
“Sam got out hard and ate up the stagger on Lane 8 before the first turn was over,” Farrell said. “He pushed through the wind on the back and closed the gap down the stretch. We’re looking now for him to run hard and compete for a chance at the state meet.”
The Bulldogs will now begin preparations for the Class 4A Region IV meet to be held April 19-20, at Texas A&M Kingsville. The top two competitors in each event at the regional meet will advance to the Class 4A state track meet at the University of Texas on May 2-4.
“For Esteban we’re going to look at improving his start and get him out a little bit faster,” Farrell said. “We want to carry a little more speed into the first two hurdles and polish that up. For Sam, we’re going to some good speed work and get one solid workout pushing his lactic threshold to help the back half of his race. We’re excited.”