Three Wolverines Punch Their Ticket to State

Three+State+Qualifiers

Three State Qualifiers

Jenna Bridges, Writer

The varsity track teams competed at the regional track meet at South Plains College in Levelland last Friday and Saturday. The varsity boys advanced as a team from area, but the girls only advanced individually. Although only three get to run at UT in Austin, many had the privilege to compete at the regional level against tough competition. 

Competing on Friday and advancing to finals on Saturday was junior Braxton Ethridge. Ethridge competed in the 300m hurdles, 110m hurdles, and the 100m dash. Placing 1st in all three of his events, he will be advancing to the next and final round. 

“I was expecting to make it to state,” Ethridge said. “I was very excited, probably one of the happiest days of my life.” 

Senior Trace Goodman and his sister, Sophomore Taytum Goodman ran the 800m run. They both placed 1st and will be joining Ethridge in Austin. 

“I’m extremely excited to be going to state in the 800 and the 400 this year, I’m excited to see the competition in both races and get the best of both worlds,” Trace Goodman said. 

Taytum Goodman works hard for all her accomplishments. She also participated in the 400m dash and the mile. She was barely beat in the 400 and placed 2nd, but received gold in the mile. 

“I wasn’t nervous about running. I knew what I had to do to advance to the finals on Saturday, so I just focused on that and ran my race,” Taytum Goodman said. “I love to run all of my races, and I can’t wait for state.” 

The UIL State Track Meet will be held in Austin on Saturday May 14th

“We have some athletes in our school that give everything they got and leave it all out there on that competing platform,” parent Jennifer Samaron said. “These athletes will do great, make no mistakes, and lots of medals will come home. They all bleed green and gold.”