Panhandle’s Skylar Maurer, left, Macklynn Land and Mason Jones celebrate after winning the 400 meter relay Friday afternoon at the UIL state track and field meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
AUSTIN— It was quite the weekend for the Texas Panhandle from Thursday to Saturday at the University Interscholastic League state track and field championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
When it was all said and done the Amarillo-area claimed 62 total medals, including the Panhandle girls as the Class 2A team champions. Athletes across the Texas Panhandle racked up 23 gold medals, 21 individual state championships, two relay state titles, 22 silver medals, and 20 bronze medals.
Here‘s a look at all the medal winners.
GOLD MEDALS
Panhandle 1600 meter relay
Team: Emmery Sides, Sydnee Adee, Skylar Maurer, Macklynn Land.
Performance: This foursome dominated at the UIL Class 2A state track meet Friday night setting the new 2A record blazing a 3:56.09, helping lead the Ettes to A team state title. Quoting Panhandle: “We’ve been working on this all year long,” Land said. “We’ve worked hard at every meet to get this record, and finally in this atmosphere we got it.”
Panhandle 400 meter relay
Team: Skylar Maurer Mason Jones, Macklynn Land, Sydnee Adee.
Performance: The 400 meter relay team set the tone for the Ettes team state championship by winning in dramatic fashion thanks to Adee’s heroics on the final leg. The time of 48.42 is a season-best for Panhandle. Quoting Panhandle: “Panhandle has had good track programs for years,” Panhandle girls coach Corby Maurer said. “We have a group of girls who work hard, and they never tell us no. They are something special and it’s great to see them accomplish all of their goals.”
Sam Ashley, Canyon
Year: Senior
Event: Class 4A 1600 meter run
Performance: Disappointment loomed for Canyon senior Sam Ashley Thursday morning before redemption reigned later in the night. Ashley left the track aggravated after failing to medal in the 3200 meter run. Fortunately for Ashley, he battled back in style with an impressive performance in the 1600 meter run to gain a gold medal running a new personal-record 4:21.74.
Quoting Ashley: “This is a wonderful feeling. I wasn’t happy with my 2-mile, I didn’t run well at all. I came into the mile thinking, i’m giving it all I have and I’m going to lead the entire way. So I took it all four laps to see what I could do.”
Dustin Bryant, Wildorado
Year: Junior
Events: Class 1A Long jump (gold); Triple jump (bronze)
Performance: Bryant made history becoming the first athlete from Wildorado to earn a gold medal. The Mustangs leaper won the long jump event popping off a 21-7 1/2. Bryant was busy Saturday. He also took a bronze in the triple jump and fourth in the high jump.
Quoting Bryant: “This means a ton. I went out there and really wanted to perform for my school, and make them proud. I’m glad to have this experience, and make the most of it.”
Makenna Byrd, Wildorado
Year: Sophomore
Events: Class 1A 110 hurdles (gold); 300 hurdles (gold); pole vault (bronze). Performance: Makenna Byrd stole the show for Wildorado. The talented sophomore started a long day earning the programs first ever medal with a bronze in the pole vault. Little did she know that was the start of a historic evening. Byrd then caught fire sweeping gold in the hurdle events blazing a personal-best 15.26 in the 100 hurdles, followed by another amazing race with a 46.37 to win the 300 hurdles.
Quoting Byrd: “It’s huge. We’re making history in many ways. It’s exciting to get second as a team with our first senior class ever. I just took my races one at a time, but it was so exciting. It is something I’ll never forget.”
Kashlee Dickinson, Canyon
Year: Sophomore
Event: Class 4A Pole vault
Performance: Dickinson dominated the pole vault event vaulting a new personal-mark of 13-feet for her first career gold medal. As of Thursday Dickinson became the first girls athlete to ever clear 13-feet.
Quoting Dickinson: “My adrenaline was pumping and I had been wanting to hit 13-feet all year. I struggled a bit at 12-feet, but I pushed through it.”
Jillian Howell, Bushland
Year: Junior
Event: Class 3A shot put
Performance: The junior overcame an injured shoulder by the District 1-3A track and field meet, and ran with her opportunity. Howell tossed out a throw of 40-3 1/4 on her first attempt in the shot put to win her first ever gold medal.
Quoting Howell: “Ever since I hurt my shoulder in basketball, I’ve been trying to get back as soon as possible. I was glad to get healthy, and comeback and compete. Winning this means so much to me. I’ve worked on this for a longtime, I’m glad to see it pay off.”
Anna Hudson, Miami
Year: Sophomore
Events: Class 1A 100 meter (gold); 200 meter (gold); long jump (bronze)
Performance: Hudson put Miami on the map Saturday. The sophomore won her first career medal with a silver in the long jump. During the running Hudson took over clinching gold in both the 100 meter dash with a 12.31, and the 200 meter thanks to a 25.37.
Quoting Hudson: “I didn’t think I’d have this big of a night. loved this environment and once it was just running I felt comfortable. The 200 is my race so I really felt good there. It’s just an amazing day. I never thought I’d be here at state.”
Stetson Jameson, Happy
Year: Senior
Events: Class 1A 300 hurdles (gold); 110 hurdles (bronze)
Performance: Jameson was impressive on Austin’s grand stage. The calf roper turned hurdler took bronze in the 110 hurdles, but then followed that running a fantastic 300 hurdle event for his first career gold medal clocking a 39.38.
Quoting Jameson: “The 300 hurdles is my race. It felt good to get this gold. Being a calf roper I’m used to competing in front of big crowds, and I love it. This was awesome.”
Kenli Johnson
Year: Senior
Event: Class 1A 400 meters
Performance: Johnson followed in the footsteps of her older sister Rylee, who won three straight Class 1A 400 meter state championships from 2017-2019. Johnson joined Rylee as a 400 meter state champion blazing a 59.66 for her first career gold medal.
Quoting Johnson: “Winning a gold medal at any point is so meaningful,” Johnson said. “But getting to follow in my sister’s footsteps and win the same event with her means so much more. She has coached me in my workouts and all the many running strategies. I’m so lucky to have a sister who knows all the ins and outs of the race.”
Kyla Kane, Wellington
Year: Junior
Events: Class 2A 1600 meter (gold); 800 meter silver
Performance: Wellington’s Kyla Kane is no stranger to gold medals. The junior has won two UIL cross country individual titles in 2019, and last November. Kane can now call herself a track champion running a personal-best 5:14.56 to capture her first gold in Austin in the 1600 meter run. Kane also claimed a silver medal in the 800 meter run with another new personal-mark of 2:17.99.
Quoting Kane: “This feels amazing,” Kane said. “I feel overwhelmed. I felt so good out there, especially on the last lap. It’s so different to win it here than in cross country. The atmosphere here is unbelievable. You’re running in front of so many people. It’s awesome.”
Emma Kleman, Nazareth
Year: Senior
Events: Class 1A 3200 meter (gold); 1600 meter (silver).
Performance: The first gold medal Saturday went to Nazareth’s Emma Kleman. The senior smoked the competition in the 3200 meter run with a new personal-record 11:33.83. In the running session later in the evening, Kleman earned a silver in the 1600 meter run thanks to a 5:29.55.
Quoting Kleman: “I’m thrilled with how my day went. In the 3200 I just wanted to come out and run my race. After not running last year it was great to be out here competing again.”
Macklynn Land, Panhandle
Year: Junior
Event: Class 2A 400 meter run
Performance: The sensational junior capped off her stellar season with a medal haul. Arguably one of the best sprinters in the Texas Panhandle, Land helped the Ettes to their first team Class 2A state title in history Friday. Individually, the junior left the field in the dust blazing a 56.01 to defend her 400 meter state championship from 2019. Land was also a part of the Ettes 400 and 1600 meter gold medal winning teams.
Quoting Land: “It’s more satisfying to win two team events and an individual. I love my teammates and we run for each other. This has definitely been my best season. I feel I really proved what I could do this year.”
Hesston Marshall, Wheeler
Year: Senior
Events: Class 2A 400 meter run (gold); 200 meter (silver).
Performance: Wheeler’s Hesston Marshall had been eagerly waiting for his shot to compete on the big stage of Mike A. Myers Stadium, and made the most of it.
Undoubtably the highlight came in the 400 meter run where he captured his first career gold with a personal-best time of 48.84. Marshall also won silver in the 200 meter run.
Quoting Marshall: “It was spectacular. This is a much different experience. It’s so loud and electric, I just love it. I’ve been trying to get here my entire career, and I’m glad I got to do it. It’s huge to win this gold, it’s been a dream for me.”
Ella Strickland, Sunray
Year: Junior
Event: Class 2A pole vault
Performance: Strickland won a gold medal while setting the new Class 2A state pole vault record of 13-0 1/4. That mark is also the new girls record in the Texas Panhandle.
Quoting Strickland: “This is what I’ve been dreaming for since I was little,” Strickland said. “It’s a real blessing, and a dream come true.”
Breana Stuart, Canyon
Year: Junior
Events: Class 4A 3200 meter; 1600 meter run (silver)
Performance: Stuart capped off her unbelievable season by running a personal-best 10:47.93 to take gold in the 3200 meter run. It’s the second gold medal of her career. Later Thursday evening, Stuart earned a silver in the 1600 running a 5:03.41.
Quoting Stuart: “I was really happy to be back after having to miss last year. It was fun to run against some great competition. This is an awesome feeling. I’m glad I could help get points for my team.”
Alex Thompson, Panhandle
Year: Senior
Events: Class 2A 300 hurldes (gold); 110 meter hurldes (silver).
Performance: Thompson displayed his skills in fine fashion during both the 300 and 110 hurdle events. Running for the first time at state, Thompson didn’t show any nerves blazing a personal-best 38.87 to hold off Cooper Ewing of Valley-Mills and win his first gold medal. Thompson just missed out on a second gold medal getting a silver in the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.78.
Quoting Thompson: “What a truly great feeling. I can’t believe it. Just to be here, and getting this shot is an unbelievable experience. I was pushed really hard, but this was my last race and I was going all out.”
Brenen Thompson, Spearman
Year: Junior
Events: Class 3A 200 meter dash; 100 meter dash (silver).
Performance: The Division I football prospect ran with purpose leaving the field behind on the final curve to blaze his way to gold setting a new personal-mark of 21.27 in the 200 meter run. Thompson also took silver in the 100 meter run. Quoting Thompson: “There was a lot of frustration. We came in eighth in the sprint relay, then coming in second in the 100 meter wasn’t a good feeling. I don’t like to lose. So being able to battle back, win the 200 and get my personal-record, and get the gold made it a complete feeling.”
Dylaney Weaver, Gruver
Year: Senior
Event: Class 2A 3200 meter (gold); 1600 meter (silver)
Performance: The senior who almost lost her life in a near tragic car wreck in September battled back to leave the field behind for her first career gold medal setting a new school-record, and personal-best with an 11:31.61 in the 3200 meter run. Weaver also earned second in the 1600 meter run with a time of 5:20.07.
Quoting Weaver: “It’s a true blessing. When you look back to the night of that wreck I never would have guessed this would happen. I was running for that record and I’m so happy.”
Abree Winfrey, Canyon
Year: Sophomore
Events: Class 4A 800 meter run (gold); 300-meter hurdles (gold).
Performance: What a Thursday for the sophomore. Winfrey led the Lady Eagles to a second place team finish winning two gold medals in the 800 meter and 300-meter hurdles. Winfrey ran a season-best 2:10.97 to scorch the 800, followed by another personal-best in the hurdles with a 44.68.
Quoting Winfrey: “It was a great day for our team. This is an electric atmosphere, and running here is so much fun. It was just happy how it turned out.”
SILVER MEDALS
Canadian 1600 meter relay
Team: Hayze Hufstedler, Rylun Clark, Angel Garcia, and Joshua Culwell.
Performance: A senior-laden Wildcat squad finished off an excellent 2020-2021 season earning a Class 3A silver medal with a time of 3:23.78 in the 1600 meter relay.
Quoting Canadian: “You feel like your floating when you run in this place,” Culwell said. “What an atmosphere, and a way to wrap up our senior year. From winning a state title in football to winning silver is unreal.”
Canyon 1600 meter relay
Team: Tia Glenn, Whitney Willeford, Abree Winfrey, and Thalia Solis.
Performance: The Lady Eagles poured all they had into the 1600 meter relay coming home with a silver medal thanks to a time of 3:58.63.
Quoting Canyon: “I’m so proud of this team,” Canyon girls track coach Ray Baca said. “They gave it their all and gave us a chance. These four have been tremendous for us all season.”
Happy 1600 meter relay
Team: Bailee Baggerman, Daisy Berry, Emily Berry, and Kenli Johnson.
Performance: The 1600 meter relay team clawed back led by Kenli Johnson’s final lap to earn silver clocking a 4:12.93.
Quoting Happy: “Running with my teammates is so special. We’ve worked so hard to get to this point, and we’re all so close. This was amazing.”
Miami 400 meter relay
Team: Abby Skidmore, Mercedes Hartwig, Elizabeth Gorecki, and Anna Hudson.
Performance: The Lady Warriors picked up 16 crucial points by getting silver running a time of 51.72 that helped them finish third overall in the team standings.
Quoting Miami: “We had been working so hard, and wanted to come out and run well. We all had our adrenaline going because we’d never seen anything like this before. It was so amazing to win a medal and share this experience as a team.”
Spearman 1600 meter relay
Team: Candice Mackey, Maggie Davis, Mia Pipkin, Braylen Lusby.
Performance: Spearman‘s dynamic four blazed a season-best 3:57.47 to find the medal stand earning a silver.
Quoting Spearman: “We wanted to prove we could go out there and show we were one of the best,” Mackie said. “We all run for each other and this means more than anything.”
Blake Beard, Valley
Year: Sophomore
Events: Class 1A 400 meter (silver); 800 meter (bronze)
Performance: The talented runner ran a 50.01 to capture silver in the 400 meter run. Beard also nabbed bronze in the 800 meter run.
Quoting Beard: “This feels great. Being here, and being a sophomore makes me want to get back.”
Rafe Butcher, Canyon
Year: Senior
Event: Class 4A 400 meter run
Performance: Canyon’s multi-sport standout left it all on the track showing his guts by diving to a second place finish in the 400 meter run. Butcher ran a time of 48.95.
Quoting Butcher: “I just felt like I needed to do what I needed to for a medal so I dove. I’m thrilled for this medal and running here was so awesome. What a great experience.”
Bailey Maupin, Gruver
Year: Junior
Events: Class 2A high jump (silver); triple jump (bronze)
Performance: The Division I basketball prospect brought home two medals Friday. Maupin earned silver in the high jump at 5-4, followed by a bronze in the triple jump with a leap of 36-10 1/2. Maupin, the 2019 high jump champion, has racked four medals in her career.Quoting Maupin: “It’s super exciting to be here, and competing again. I thought I could have done better in the high jump, but I felt good in the triple jump. I loved the weather and competing here.”
TaraLee McKarns, Vega
Year: Senior
Event: Class 2A pole vault
Performance: McKarns placed second to grab a silver medal in the pole vault clearing 10-9. Quoting McKarns: “I was definitely shooting for a medal. I really wanted to get 11-feet, but I came away with a medal, and I’m very happy to come away with that.”
Jonathan Mora, Farwell
Year: Senior
Event: Class 2A triple jump
Performance: Mora was busy Friday competing in the long jump, high jump and triple jump Friday. The long day was well worth it as the senior found silver in the triple jump with a leap of 45-8 1/2.
Quoting Mora: “I’m so happy I can’t stop smiling. This was my goal to get on the medal stand. It was a lot to do, but what an amazing environment to compete in. I’m just do happy.”
Mia Pipkin, Spearman
Year: Senior
Event: Class 3A 800 meter run
Performance: Pipkin broke Spearman’s school-record during the 800 meter run clocking a 2:18.25 to nab a silver medal.
Quoting Pipkin: “It was awesome to run here in Austin. I had to really push that last 100 meters but I knew I had it in me to get across the finish line. This is so exciting.”
Rese Schoonover, Stratford
Year: Senior
Events: Class 2A 100 hurdles (silver); 300 hurdles (silver)
Performance: Schoonover ended her amazing career highlighting the hurdle events with a pair of silver medals. The Tarleton State signee won her first silver in the 100 hurdles with a 15.12, followed by her second silver in the 300 hurdles clocking a 45.62.
Quoting Schoonover: “I was so excited. It was a great race and fun competition. I’m just so proud to be able to get on the medal stand.”
Hunter Warminski, White Deer
Year: Senior
Events: Class 1A Long jump (silver); Triple jump (silver)
Performance: Warminski ended his high school career leaping his way to two silver medals. The senior jumped 21-4 in the long jump, and broke the school-record in the triple jump with a 44-0 1/2.
Quoting Warminski: “I was a little disappointed. I really wanted a gold, but to come here before and not medal, I’m very happy. It’s exciting to break the school-record. I leave with both the long and triple jump marks so that means a lot.”
BRONZE MEDALS
Amarillo High 1600 meter relay
Team: Damonze Woods, Tyrese Molden, Cooper Clawson and Trey Thomas.
Performance: In Friday nights final race the Amarillo High 1600 meter relay of Damonze Woods, Cooper Clawson, Tyrese Molden and Trey hung in a speedy Class 5A 1600 meter relay gaining a bronze with a new season-best 3:17.71.
Quoting AHS: “I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” AHS head track coach Steve Bergeski said. “Our relay hung in with the best there is out there, and I feel we exceeded what we came to do.”
Bushland 1600 meter relay
Team: Haylee Sessions, Corley Carr, Caitlyn Culwell and Jessie Fowler.
Performance: Competing at the UIL Class 3A state meet for the first time in school history, the Lady Falcons 400 meter relay team of Haylee Sessions, Corley Carr, Caitlyn Culwell and Jessie Fowler, showed up on the grand stage of Mike A. Myers Stadium with a bronze medal performance of 48.59.
Quoting Bushland: “This is really cool,” Culwell said. “We’ve never competed at state before so this was an awesome experience. We ran well as a team all year, and just got better and gave ourself a chance.”
Dumas 1600 meter relay
Team: Oliver Ortiz, Emmanuel Ibanez, Christian Carerra, and Cade Cox.
Performance: The Demons mile relay team of Oliver Ortiz, Emmanuel Ibanez, Christian Carerra, and Cade Cox, did what they’ve done all year. Dumas impressed once again blazing a season-best time of 3:18.07 to jump on the medal stand with bronze.
Quoting Dumas: “What a feeling,” Cox said. “We’ve had a great year, and to come here and run our best time yet, and get a medal is unbelievable. This is awesome, and I’m so proud for all of these guys.”
Panhandle 800 meter relay
Team: Skylar Maurer, Lauren Gonzales, Mason Jones, Annison Thomas
Performance: The 800 relay team scored a key 12 points running a time of 1:44.12 to get on the medal stand with a bronze.
Quoting Panhandle: To win a gold in the sprint, and then medal in the 800 relay is awesome,” Jones said. “It was all part of a tremendous day for our team.”
Wildorado 1600 meter relay
Team: Makenna Byrd, Emma Barrett, Jessica Merrell, and Angelica Esparza.
Performance: The foursome held on to nab a bronze medal that helped get the Lady Mustangs a second place team finish during the UIL Class 1A state track meet.
Quoting Wildorado: What a night,” Wildorado head track coach Kara Lucherk said. “This team has bought in since day one. They work so hard and they deserve it. I didn’t know it would come this fast, but I knew at the first of the season we were going to be good. I’m just so proud.”
Sydnee Adee, Panhandle
Year: Sophomore
Event: Class 2A 300 hurdles
Performance: Adee found the medal stand as an individual for the first time in her career running a 46.32 which was good enough for bronze in the 300-meter hurdles. Quoting Adee: ”This is special. Just being able to contribute and help the team win is most important. It was also a great place to run. The environment is incredible.”
Mattie Boyd, Canadian
Year: Junior
Event: Class 3A shot put
Performance: The District 1-3A basketball Co-MVP tossed a 126-6 to claim a bronze medal in the discus event.
Quoting Boyd: “It wasn’t my best day, but I fought back to get on the medal stand. I’ve dreamed of that since my dad starting bringing me here in second grade. It was amazing to compete here, and I’m glad I focused in to get one out there and medal.”
Kash Bradley, Bushland
Year: Junior
Event: Class 3A long jump
Performance: Bradley fought back from fifth place heading into the finals to leap a 21-10 3/4 on his final attempt to nab third place.
Quoting Bradley: “Getting on the medal stand was always a goal of mine growing up. It feels awesome to be able to do that. It was awesome to compete here, and I was able to to out and jump pretty good.”
Pace Bressler, Happy
Year: Junior
Events: Class 1A pole vault
Performance: Bressler leaves Austin with a bronze after clearing 12-9.
Quoting Bryant: “I was hoping to do better but it was cool to be here state. Your adrenaline gets going and it’s a great atmosphere.”
Isaac McGill, Amarillo High
Year: Junior
Event: Class 5A 3200 meter
Performance: McGill broke the Amarillo High school record, while setting a new personal-mark to earn a bronze in the 3200 meter run with a time of 9:16.46.
Quoting McGill: “I ran my heart out for sure. This feels amazing honestly. Shoutout to Butare Rugenerwa. Just to mention with a runner like him is incredible. I never thought I’d break his school-record.”
Lexi Maul, Pampa
Year: Junior
Event: Class 4A 3200 meter
Performance: Maul completed a very superb season by pacing an 11:10.85 to earn a bronze medal In her first ever state appearance.
Quoting Maul: “It was exciting. I kept telling myself how bad I wanted it. Running with very fast people help, and it always makes me better.”
Symone Quiles, Amarillo High
Year: Senior
Event: Class 5A 300 hurdles
Performance: Quiles was the only Amarillo ISD girls athlete to make her way to the medal stand Friday. Quiles impressed during the 300 hurdles running a personal-best 43.68 to nab a bronze medal.
Quoting Quiles: “What an experience. I was able to run my best race, get a PR, and what a way to end my senior year.”
Lanie Stapp, Claude
Year: Senior
Event: Class 1A Triple jump
Performance: Stapp ended a stellar career with a third trip to the state meet by earning a bronze in the triple jump with a 36-5. Quoting Stapp: “It’s always an honor to jump here. I’m a little disappointed I wanted to get higher on the medal stand, but I’m happy with how I performed. That’s the deal with competing. You always have to be your best.”
Trey Thomas, Amarilll High
Year: Senior
Event: Class 5A 300 hurdles
Performance: In a very fast race Thomas held his own proving to be one of the best hurdlers in the state blazing a personal-best 37.76 to earn a bronze medal.
Quoting Thomas: This was awesome. There is nothing like running in Austin. I really knew after we missed last year I was going to have to work super hard if I wanted to make it here and compete. To be able to do that and medal is amazing.”