By ZACH SMITH, Hill Country News
Just over a year ago, when Cristion Davis had his junior season come to end at the regional meet, all he could think about was getting back in the gym.
Hard work pays off.
The Vandegrift senior closed out his high school career with a gold medal in the discus throw Saturday at the UIL State Track and Field Championships with a mark of 182 feet,1 inch.
“I wanted to win so bad and I was so eager to go out and win, I knew from the moment (I lost at regionals) that I wasn’t going to take a day off and I wasn’t going to rest,” Davis said. “I’ve been working ever since, and I was able to get it done.”
Davis moved into first place after his second throw but fell to second after three rounds. Knowing he needed a big throw to get back on top, he ripped the winning heave in his fourth attempt to win by more than a foot.
He’ll graduate with the school record of 190 feet, 7 inches that he set at the Texas Relays earlier this season and is committed to throw at Texas A&M next season.
“I would just say not to give up,” Davis said. “I wouldn’t say I’m talented, but I just worked super hard. Work is your best friend, and the time you put into the sport is going to show.”
Kevin Sanchez didn’t necessarily plan on leading the entire 3200 Meter Run early Saturday morning, but he made it work.
The Vandegrift junior jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, winning the gold medal with a time of 8:57.85, setting a new school record and besting his personal record by two seconds in the process.
“I wanted to go out fast, have someone go with me and maybe try to draft off of them,” Sanchez said. “I guess my only option was to keep in front. It worked out.”
Sanchez also placed ninth in the 1600 Meter Run with a time of 4:18.97.
After winning one gold medal at the state cross country meet earlier this season, the goal of following that up with two golds at the state track meet is always in the back of his head.
But getting his name in the state record books is also a lingering thought.
“I’ve been saying for a little while that next year will be a year of records,” Sanchez said. “We’re going to be shooting for some state records. We’ll see how that goes, but it’s going to take consistency and hard work.”
Vandegrift senior Avery Segura finishes sixth in the girls’ Triple Jump with a leap of 40 feet, 2 inches. Segura will compete at the University of Arizona next season.