Crockett boys finish as district track runner-up

LARRY LAMB | HCC Crockett sophomore Blake Jones heaves the discus 126 feet, 6 inches to win a gold medal in the District 20-3A track and field meet.

District newcomers Franklin and Fairfield took home team titles at the District 20-3A Track and Field Meet on Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1 at Crockett ISD’s Driskell Stadium.

Franklin racked up 202 points to capture the varsity boys crown over runner-up Crockett (114). Teague (71), Elkhart (67), Palestine Westwood (45), Fairfield (43), Groesbeck (41) and Buffalo (30) rounded out the team standings.

Fairfield, which dropped from class 4A this year, dominated the varsity girls division with 218 points and Franklin was a distant second with 111 points. Palestine Westwood (92) was third, followed by Elkhart (71), Teague (64), Groesbeck (38), Crockett (15) and Buffalo (11).

The top four finishers in each event return to Crockett next week to compete in the area meet. The top four finishers then move on to regional competition April 23-24 at Waco Midway High School.

In running events, Crockett boys advanced in two relay races and four individual races. The Bulldogs had five area qualifiers in three field events.

Randy Jones took gold in the 100-meter dash (11.55) and Keyshun Easterling was third in the 200 (23.28).

Omar Garcia earned silvers in both the 1600 (5:01.27) and 3200 (11.26) behind Franklin’s Nate Philipello.

Crockett boys finished second behind Franklin in two relay races

The Bulldogs 400 relay team of Dennis Simmons, Xzavian Walker, Keyshun Easterling and Randy Jones posted a time of 44.02 and the 800 foursome of Easterling, Jadyn Collins, Walker and Jones clocked in at 1:31.18

In field events, Crockett was led by a one-two showing in discus throw. Sophomore Blake Jones won the district title with a heave of 126’6” and teammate Melvin Evans took second with 116’9”.

High jumpers Delvin Walker (6’2”) and Markell Paxton (6’0”) placed second and third, respectively.

Freshman pole vaulter Joseph Tuggle was second with a height of 10’0”.

Two Bulldogs ranked among the district’s top 10 athletes. Randy Jones was No. 8 with 18 points and Garcia tied for No. 9 with 16.

In the varsity girls division, Lady Bulldog La’Kyra Hamilton qualified for area in two events. She was third in the 100 dash (13.34) and third in the 200 (26.71).