Page Search
REGION III CHAMPIONSHIP
Turner Stadium in Humble was the site of the Region III-6A Track and Field Championships on Friday and Saturday. Thirteen Stratford athletes qualified for Regionals after advancing from the District and Area rounds, but only eleven competed over the course of the two days.
In order to advance to the UIL Texas State meet in Austin in two weeks, individuals and relays must finish top-2 in their respective events at Regionals. Considering the depth of star-studded talent that exists across our region, that is a very difficult thing to do. In fact, just making the finals at Regionals is a very difficult thing to do.
After enduring two weather delays that pushed most of the events to later in the evening on Saturday, junior Ben Pearce toed the line in the 1600m against fifteen other qualifiers in misty, windy conditions. After Chris Creeedon from Clear Creek took the lead with two laps remaining, Ben stayed on his heels and the two of them pushed the pace. With 600 meters remaining, Creedon and Ben began to gap the chase group and their momentum carried them to the finish line in times of 4:14.51 and 4:15.65, respectively. With his runner-up finish, Ben punched his ticket to the big dance at the University of Texas on May 4th.
Before this season, the last Stratford boy to qualify for the state meet was Emanuel Galdino, now a collegiate runner at Iowa State University. Emanuel finished 4th in the State 6A 3200m run as a junior in 2021 and returned to Austin in 2022 to win the State Championship title in the 1600m. Ben’s success is extending the legacy of Stratford’s strong distance program over the last decade or so.
In Shot Put, senior Zach Prudhomme finished his high school career in impressive fashion by placing 4th overall. Zach improved week after week throughout the season and saved his best throw for last at Regionals. His throw of 53-07.25 was yet another PR and a great way to go out. Congratulations to Zach!
Other Results:
**Niamh Collins (sickness) and Avery Jackson did not compete this weekend.
In 2022, Niamh was the Regional Champion in the 800m and last year she just missed returning to State by finishing third. She was in great form going in to this year’s race, but illness struck mid last week and she wasn’t able to compete. It was a heartbreaking way to end her career at Stratford, but her accomplishments are aplenty.
It was a fantastic season and high school career for all of our seniors in this group: Niamh, Zach, Luke, Day’Vonne, Nykko, and Daylan.
And big things are ahead for the underclassmen. It will be fun to watch them continue to grow and improve: Ben, Kenneth, Gretchen, Liza, Avery, Andrew.
Congratulations to all qualifiers, competitors, and coaches on an outstanding season. Go get it, Ben!