Eight from Aledo compete at Texas Relays

Eight members of the Aledo Ladycats and Bearcats entered the arena at Mike A. Myers Stadium to face some of the top high school competitors from across the nation at one of the nation’s most elite track and field meets, the annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, held at the University of Texas at Austin Friday and Saturday, March 29-30.

They left with all eight posting top-20 finishes, including seven in the top seven of their respective events.

The meet serves as a final tuneup before district competition, along with giving some of the top athletes another chance to be seen by college scouts throughout the United States. Along with the high school competition, universities from across the country compete at their own level.

Ladycat Lauren St. Peters led all Aledo performers with a second place silver medal finish in the girls shot put. She had a throw of 46 feet, 3.75 inches.

She has finished first (3 times) or second (twice) in every meet this season. Last season she placed third at the Class 5A State Meet in the shot put, also qualifying as a sophomore - along with the discus.

St. Peters also placed seventh at the Texas Relays in the discus with a throw of 147-6.

The senior has committed to compete for the University of Nebraska next season.

The girls 4x800-meter relay of Sofia Brandenburg, Mayden Mitchell, Micah Neal and Mykel Murry posted a fifth-place time of 9 minutes, 55.24 seconds.

Pole vaulters Brad Campbell and Taylor Hindman placed sixth and seventh in boys and girls Division B, respectively. Campbell cleared 15-3 and Hindman vaulted 11-9.75.

Addison Smith rounded out the Aledo competitors. She tied for 19th in the girls 100 dash in Division II with a time of 11.86 seconds.

“Great weekend! Very proud of these athletes,” Ladycats coach Mike Pinkerton said.

The Ladycats and Bearcats were hosting the District 5-5A Meet at press time. The top four finishers in each event will advance to the Area 5/6-5A Meet April 11-12 in Fort Worth.