Fink, who is now competing in the Boys 15-16 age group after winning back-to-back titles in the 13-14 category, qualified for the Southwest District Meet by winning his specialty, the 3,000 race/walk. He clocked a time of 15 minutes, 48.71 seconds.
He also qualified for district in the 3,000 run (eighth, 10:19.48) and 1,500 run (16th, 4:40.64).
The top 16 finishers in each event at the qualifier meet advance to the district meet June 25-29, also at Chisholm Trail.
In all, Mach I qualified 15 (4 girls, 11 boys) for the district meet. Also capturing gold medals were Emma Strathmeyer in the Girls 17-18 3,000 run with a time of 11:39.64, along with brothers Gannon in the Boys 17-18 3,000 in 9:05.59 and Malachi Dolan in the Boys 9-10 1,500, clocking 5:23.91.
Gannon was also second in the 1,500 (4:07.50) and Malachi took fifth in the 800 (2:42.66). Malachi competed in the USATF nationals last summer in the Boys 9-10 1,500.
Gannon won a national championship in the 1,500 in the Boys 13-14 age group in 2022 and was a runner-up in the Boys 15-16 division in 2023.
“Everyone ran really well. We even had some personal-best times in this meet,” Mach I coach Lupe Torres said. “As a coach, you always love to see the athletes get a PR.”
Last season, Josh Fink and his brother Jack, a national champion in the 3,000 run in the Boys 17-18 age group, became the first brothers in the history of Mach I to bring home titles. While repeating that accomplishment is not possible, with Jack having graduated from Aledo High School recently, Josh and his younger sister Jenna are in quest of more history.
Jenna also advanced in three events, placing second in the Girls 9-10 1,500 (5:58.95), third in the 1,500 race/walk (10:58.93) and seventh in the 800 (3:03.40). She qualified for AAU nationals in the 1,500 and 800 last season.
Another silver medal runner-up finish was posted by Cole Bettger in the Boys 15-16 3,000 (9:35.84). Other bronze medal third-place finishes were recorded by Rafael Favela in the Boys 11-12 3,000 (12:55.36), Miguel Martinez in the Boys 8-Under 1,500 (6:02.30), Bettger in the 1,500 (4:18.52) and Strathmeyer in the 1,500 (5:18.98). Martinez was also fourth in the 800 (2:52.13) and Favela was also sixth in the 1,500 (5:55.18).
Rounding out the qualifiers from Mach I are:
Tryg Meshell, Boys 13-14, fourth in 3,000 (10:55.32), fifth in 1,500 (5:03.16), seventh in 800 (2:28.50). Meshell competed in the USATF nationals in the Boys 11-12 1,500 last summer.
Ella Persky, Girls 15-16, fifth in 800 (2:36.10), seventh in 1,500 (5;25.84).
Ryker Reis, Boys 8-Under, fifth in 1,500 (6:26.39), eighth in long jump (8 feet, 9.5 inches), 10th in 800 (3:15.42).
Elijah Lawrence, Boys 8-Under, fifth in 800 (3:10.96), 10th in 1,500 (7:02.09).
Liam Romero, Boys 8-Under, sixth in 1,500 (6:30.85), 10th in long jump (8-02), 12th in 800 (3:31.67).
Victoria Lawrence, Girls 15-16, seventh in 800 (2:41.64).
Lincoln Coffey, Boys 11-12, eighth in 1,500 (6:12.44).
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here