Breaking records and pursuing history highlighted the recent regional track meet.
Burnet High School senior Victor Aviles added more gold medals in his quest to capture three Class 4A state titles this season.
Aviles is the Class 4A Region III champion in the 800, 1,600 and the 3,200 meters again.
While he makes winning these races look easy, the competition is anything but. He commended his fellow runners, noting they all brought their best to the track.
“I think what really helps me is visualizing myself before the race being able to hang on and finish super strong,” he said. “I go through the whole race and imagine every move.”
The 2023 Class 4A state champion in the 800 meters called that race his specialty where he was a second and a half faster than the silver medalist. He claimed gold at this year’s regional meet in 1 minute and 53.44 seconds.
“That’s the one I perform the best in,” he said. “I’m able to go out with really fast guys and run really fast. Going into it, I didn’t think I’d be running that fast. The first lap was a second or two faster than I anticipated. It took all I had to hang on and finish.”
Aviles said the 1,600 meters, which he won in 4:20.31, “went as fast as I thought it would.”
“I knew (the other runners) were going to try to push it,” he said. “They knew they had to take it out fast to secure their spot over the others.”
What they didn’t count on is Aviles’ ability to accelerate when he sees the finish line.
“I kick it as hard as I can,” he said. “In a race it’s important not to overthink and stay focused.”
He called the 3,200 meters the “race I was scared of the most.”
“In the morning, I wasn’t feeling a good day,” he said. “I definitely wasn’t expecting who was leading. Him and his teammate were leading the majority of the time. They were going to make it a faster race.”
They were Lumberton High runners Trenton Smith and Isaac Flowers.
But toward the end, Aviles showed the finish that makes him a dangerous opponent.
Middle-distance running coach Crystal Shipley said when other runners are reaching the end of their stamina, Aviles looks like he’s just getting started.
“His endurance is unreal, but what is such a huge factor in the close races is his foot speed,” she said. “If he stays in a pack, you better believe I am betting on that kid’s foot speed to win that last 200 meters. Victor has a huge heart and understands little eyes are watching, including his younger siblings. I love that about him.”
Aviles commits to his training and does all the “little things” that lead to success, Shipley said. She credits former coach Kristi Jones for emphasizing those habits that the runner still follows.
“I know Victor is so thankful for all she’s done,” Shipley said. “Victor is self-motivated and he has earned every medal he has earned by training hard, eating right and resting. I have even heard
Contributed/Crystal Shipley him tell teammates that is a major factor in success in this sport. Victor has an incredible gift.”
On the girls’ side, the 1,600-meter relay team of Adriana Briggs, Cali Eason, Brianne Smith and Camryn Courtney rewrote school history thanks to a blistering 4:04.3 in fully automatic time. The old record, which was 26 years old, was a hand-held time of 4:04.8. Wrigley Mulhollan and Asah Roy were alternates.
Shipley, who is the Lady Dawgs head coach, said the relay members’ pursuit of the record started last year when Addie Houston, who graduated, was on the team.
“This group and Addie ran a 4:04.84,” she said. “Since that heartbreak of not beating it by (four one-hundredths of a second), these girls made it their No. 1 goal. They have been together since the 2024 season and knew what it would take to get back to regionals and a chance at that record. Adriana, Cali, Brianne and Camryn are so fun to coach!! They push each other and hold each other accountable. Their work ethic and personalities are a big factor in their bond. They compete with all heart and grit.”
Roy finished the 800 meters in 2:26.84, her fastest time of the year, for sixth place.
“Asah has pushed through another season with a shin injury,” Shipley said. “Her resilience is incredible. She had a strong start pushing out in front when the first gun started the 800, but another girl fell in the first 50 meters that caused the race to be restarted. The second start didn’t help Asah since the first one allowed a couple others to get a jump on her, knowing how she would start. Regardless, Asah ran great and continued to better her time, earning her (personal record) of the season. She’s a tough one and we are so thankful she has another season.”
The Class 4A State Championships is Thursday, May 1, at Mike Myers Stadium on the University of Texas at Austin campus.
“I’m really happy with how regionals went,” Aviles said. “I’m excited for state.”
Jennifer Fierro publishes reports about area youth athletic events on her website TexasChalk-Talk.com. To send her a note, email fierrojennifer@ yahoo.com.
