Doing what they do best — again

Members of the Mach I Track Club who are competing at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in Houston are (top row, from left) Cole Bettger, Gannon Doyle, Tryg Meshell, (middle row) Emmy Strathmeyer, Elijah Lawrence, Josh Fink, Malachi Dolan, (front row) Miguel Martinez, Ryker Reis, and Jenna Fink. Not pictured is Nate Favela.

Lupe Torres

Of course, the old expression is to find that one thing and do it better than anybody. Indeed they do.

“This is our 37th season. The reason we are always so successful over the years is that Mach I specializes in distance running and are able to just focus on that,” said head coach Lupe Torres.

True to that statement, the club, which features athletes from in and around Parker County, once again qualified plenty of competitors for the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics, currently going on in and around Houston. In all, Mach I had 11 athletes at the competition that wraps up Saturday, Aug. 2.

The list is topped by two-time national champion Josh Fink (Boys 15-16) of Aledo in the 3000-meter race walk. His national championships were in the 1500 race/walk, but Torres said he has the potential to move up and capture another title on the heels of winning regionals.

Gannon Dolan (Boys 17-18) of Granbury has won a national title in the Boys 13-14 3000 run in 2022. After a runner-up finish in the same event in 2023 in the 15-16 age group, he’s been battling back from injury and won regionals this summer, along with placing fifth in the 1500.

“It’s been a long road but he still has a very good chance to bring back some hardware, maybe even another national title,” Torres said of Dolan.

That duo will be joined by:

• Miguel Martinez (Boys 8-Under), Fort Worth, qualified in the 800-meter run (second at regionals) and 1500 (third).
• Elijah Lawrence (Boys 8-Under), Aledo, fifth in regionals in 800.
• Jenna Fink (Girls age 10), Aledo, won regionals in the 1500 race/walk and was second in the 1500.
• Malachi Dolan (Boys age 10), Granbury, regional champion in 1500.
• Nate Favela (Boys age 11), Aledo, third in 3000 at regionals, fifth in 1500.
• Tryg Meshell (Boys age 13), Poolville, third in 3000 at regionals.
• Cole Bettger (Boys 15-16), Peaster, fourth in 1500 at regionals, second in 3000.
• Emmy Strathmeyer (Girls 17-18), Fort Worth, regional winner in 3000, second in 2000 steeplechase and third in 1500.

“This group going looks strong. It is very possible that half of them could bring back some medals and making All-American, and some have a very good chance to be a national champion in their event,” Torres said. “We started with 16 athletes competing at the (Southwest) Association meet and all 16 advanced to the regional meet. And out of 16 we have 11 athletes going — and all have a great chance of either getting a personal best, medal or even winning a national title.

“While some will only do one of these or two of these things, some will probably do all three things — which will be awesome for them, since this is what they have been working for all summer.”

Strathmeyer takes bronze in Georgia

In preparation for the AAU Junior Olympics, Strathmeyer placed third in the Girls 17-18 2000 steeplechase in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics in Savannah, Georgia. She is the first Mach I club member to be named All-American in that event.

Strathmeyer clocked a time of 8:04.88.

“She has worked so hard for this since last year. It is pretty cool that she’s the first Mach I steeplechase runner to get All-American, especially when it is not an easy race,” Torres said. “This is her first individual All-American. I am hoping she will get another in the same in the AAU.”