AUSTIN — There was no anxious anticipation needed on Friday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
After the 1,600 relay — the last event of the night — had been make or break for the Refugio girls title hopes in each of the last three seasons, the Bobcats took care of business early and coasted to the school’s 10th state championship in girls track.
The title was the first outright championship for the school since 2018 after sharing titles with Panhandle in 2023 and 2024 and falling two points short of Ettes last year.
This year Refugio scored 72 points and finished 12 points clear of Panhandle and 22 ahead of 50.
“We always had to wait until dark, always had to watch a race we have no control over and it is a relief to get to enjoy all the races after the 4×2,” Refugio coach Katie Green said.
“They competed like a team that wanted to go win a championship. Their focus was absolutely on point. We didn’t wait around for someone to help us, we took care of our business.”
The 10th state championship breaks a tie with Dallas Skyline and DeSoto for second-most girls team championships in UIL history behind Lancaster (14).
Senior Jazmyn Howard won the long jump, earned points in the triple jump and aided the record-setting runs in the 400 and 800 relay as part of Refugio’s 72 team points, which wrapped up the title by the end of the 800 relay.
“I came out and got our team started with 12 points so I felt like it was going to be good because of the early lead,” Howard said. “I knew it was going to be a good day.
“This means a lot because I love track and field and coming to state and getting three golds and one silver is a really big deal.”
Carlie McClain captured gold in the 100, followed by Howard, who earned silver as Refugio went 1-2 in the event. McClain anchored both of the team’s sprint relays, which broke their own records (47.58 seconds in the 400 relay), (1:46.67, 800 relay).
“We knew what we were coming into, coming into state,” McClain said. “We had to succeed in every event and finish what we were seeded at — or even higher. We set two conference records.
“I am really going to miss having these moments with my team.”
McClain clocked 11.36 in the 100, improving her second-place finish from last year.
Green said it is rare to have an entire senior class signed to run in college at the Class 2A level and said the leaders on the team grew from the challenges of the last four years and coming up short last season.
“This group of seniors is really special — and to have all four committed to college to run track is rare at the 2A level,” Green said. “But the biggest thing was after falling short here and there through the years, they weren’t going to let that happen to them this year.”
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Refugio girls roll to 10th UIL State Track team championship
Reporting by Quinton Martinez, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
