Archives > Sports > Schools
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Top Ten Celina Sports Stories of 2012: 3. Good as gold: Bobcats take first in state track meet
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
With a heavy group of seniors on this year’s team, there was only one goal in mind for Celina at last weekend’s Class 3A State Track and Field Championships in Austin: a state title.
Winning state became a reality for the Bobcats after earning 60 points in the final team standings to beat out Stafford (58).
“It was amazing,” said Bill Elliott, Celina track head coach. “The guys set a goal three years ago to win state and they got it done this year.”
“[Roos] worked so hard to get back,” Elliott said. “He was really a leader for everyone else with all the hard work he put in every day.”
The senior’s quest at a three-peat didn’t come easily after a torn ACL during football season left a long recovery threatening to affect his gold medal aspirations in track. However, the Purdue signee not only took the top spot in the shot put, he also earned gold in the discus throw after posting a distance of 56.61 meters. The throw edged out San Antonio Houston’s Javonte Magee, who came in second (55.72).
Joining Roos in his final year with Celina was senior Zach Bilderback, who recently inked his letter of intent with Texas.
Running at his future collegiate venue, Mike A. Myers Complex, Bilderback equaled Roos’ two gold medals at state.
Bilderback’s first top finish came in the 400-meter dash after running a 47.27 to best Deon Hickey (47.62) of Giddings.
“When you start with 900 kids,” Elliott said, “to be that final kid at the end is pretty special.”
Bilderback followed his performance in the 400 by joining teammates Ben Thiel, Braylin Brown and Jesus Vargas in the 4x400 relay. Posting a 3:16.03 for a new school record, the Bobcats took first in the event to earn 20 points after beating out Carthage (3:19.13) and Ingleside (3:19.25).
“It’s really a testament to our kids and our program,” Elliott said. “Most schools just have one kid competing at state and we had 12 kids there. It just shows their hard work and dedication.”
Thiel then became the third Celina runner to earn two gold medals after following the 4x400 triumph by winning the 300-meter hurdles.
“[Thiel] had been running hard all year long,” Elliott said. “He did a wonderful job [in the 300 hurdles] and I know he was really excited.”
Thiel’s time of 37.61 bested Brownwood’s Mitch Stephens (38.51) and North Forney’s Hunter Hartley (38.76).
The Lady Bobcats also had success in Austin.
Senior Kaylyn Schultz, a future Baylor Lady Bear, competed in the state high jump for the third straight year and came home with a fourth-place finish.
“[Schultz] is just a fierce competitor,” Elliott said.
The senior jumped 5-4 with no misses and joined teammate Beth Cobb as the only two Lady Bobcats with top-five finishes at the meet. Cobb came in fifth in the pole vault after posting a height of 3.35 meters (11-0).
“[Cobb] really stepped up,” Elliott said. “She came to the state meet and jumped the best she has ever jumped.”
Elliott noted that Cobb wasn’t alone in stepping up during the state meet.
“All 12 (state qualifiers from Celina) rose up,” he said. “Most of them did the best they have all year.”
With a majority of the 12 athletes moving on to college in the fall, new members of the track team will have to step up next year.
“They’ll be tough to replace,” Elliott said. “This was a tough group of kids. They really provided leadership to everyone else so it’ll be hard losing a group like that.”
Top Ten Celina Sports Stories of 2012: 4. Following two legends: Celina begins new era under Elliott
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Celina «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
