The girls and boys varsity track teams both became champions of the 75th annual Amarillo Relays on March 27 and 28. Along with medaling in 13 events, runners also broke school records.
Competing against high schools including Palo Duro, Tascosa, Caprock, Dumas, Canyon, West Plains, Bushland, Herford, Perryton, Borger, Highland Park, Stratford, Ascension Academy and Clovis, prelims took place on Friday with qualifiers competing for medals on Saturday. The girls varsity team proceeded to take places in 100 and 300 hurdles, high jump, 100 meter dash, 400 meter dash and break the 4X400 Meet record at 3:49.98.
“My relay groups mean so much to me,” senior Memori Hibbler said. “I love being able to run together, knowing we’ll all go as hard as we can for each other, and just being able to talk, laugh and support one another.”
Relay teams worked hard all year to become stronger and faster together, which created a bond among the teammates, especially the seniors.
“Being a senior is definitely super sad experiencing all the lasts, but it’s also super rewarding being able to look back and see all I have accomplished: all the memories I’ve made and all of the new friendships I have because of the Amarillo High track program,” senior Sofia Quiles said. “The last four years have been the best blessing.”
The teams focused on improving during their daily training to help build the speed and skills needed to place at meets. The training paid off for junior Willow Cornell, who had a personal best in hurdles.
“It felt really good to place in both hurdles because they take a lot of practice, and I got a new PR in the 100 hurdles, so that made it feel even better,” Cornell said.
The boys’ team came first in the 4X100 & 4X200 Relay, junior Hunter Spier won double golds in Shot and Discus and junior Landon Barker took first place in the 100 meter and broke the school record.
“It’s really hard to believe that I set a new record,” Barker said. “All glory to God truly.”
While setting the new record was a reward for hard work, Barker has worked to make sure he was in physical and mental shape before the meet.
“I just took care of my body, making sure it’s right, drinking when I need to and just mentally preparing myself,” Barker said.
Boys Results:
Landon Barker – 1st Place in the 100 meter – New School Record Holder (10.36)
Hunter Spier – Double Gold in the Shot and Discus
4X100 & 4X200 Relay Champions
Girls Results:
Willow Cornell – 1st Place in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles
Charlie Webb – 2nd Place in the High Jump
Memori Hibbler – 1st Place in the 100 meter
Sofia Quiles – 1st Place in the 400
Avery Gerber – 2nd Place in the 100 hurdles
Mya Velazquez – 3rd in the 300 hurdles
Meet champions in the 4×200 and 4×400 Relays
4X400 Relay broke the Meet record (3:49.98.) – Mya Velazquez, Willow Cornell, Memori Hibbler, Sofia Quiles
