STATE CHAMPIONS for the second year in a row in the 4×200-Meter Relay are Fairfield Lady Eagles (left to right) Blayke Brackens (sophomore), Madox Mitchael (senior), Na’Kayla Conner (junior), and Avery Thaler (senior). These gals took the title in 1:40.48 at the State Track Meet held Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (Courtesy Photo)

The Fairfield Lady Eagles continued the strong athletic production with participants in several events at the Mike A. Myers Track Complex on the campus of the University of Texas.

Avery Thaler, completing her high school career and headed to the next level to play volleyball, participated in three events in Austin on the first day of competition. She has battled injuries and continued to produce at a high level. Thaler ran the third leg of the girls 4×200 relay and turned the race to maroon and gold.

Madox Mitchael and Blayke Brackens held the race close, but they were seconds off the lead. Thaler took the baton and scorched the backstretch and handed it off to decorated sprinter Na’Kayla Connor and she extended the lead to run a 1:40:48 and take the gold medal.

Bushland was the runner up followed by Goliad and then Gladewater. Also in the race was fifth place Universal City Randolph, Atlanta, New London West Rusk, Lorena and finally, Canadian.

The other events did not fare as well as the Lady Eagles were expecting but they did make their presence known. Connor had run the 100-meter dash just prior to the gold medal relay run and it appeared UIL delayed the race for a moment to let the ladies (Gladewater, Canadian, UC Randolph and Fairfield) have a short break.

The girls lined up for the first race of the 3A 100-meter dash and as the starter fired the pistol to begin, he immediately fired a second time to stop the race for an apparent false start. They issued a warning to the runners and reset for the restart. On the second start, the pistol was again fired an immediate second time, but not all the runners heard the signal. After a long discussion, the race was moved to the final race of the event session with no disqualification. On the eventual restart, Taylor Nunez defended her title with the win followed by Peyton Hunter of Gladewater, Starrmia Dixon of New Diana and Connor finished fourth at just over 12 seconds.

Thaler tried earlier in the day to defend her triple jump title. Two ladies jumped over 38 feet in the first jump and Thaler was sixth. Her best jump of 36-4.25 could not get her into the top three for a medal and she ended up sixth on the day. Jayuna Phillips of Yoakum won the event with a jump over 40 feet. Yierra Flemings of Cameron finished second and Kyla Hill of Goliad took the bronze medal.

Thaler also competed in the long jump and finished eighth. Taylor Nunez of Universal City Randolph won the event.

The following has been added following the release of The ‘Times’ print edition. Thanks to our readers for the additional information:

The girls 4×400 relay also took eighth. The team consisted of Lillian McBean, Avery Thaler, Madox Mitchael and Blayke Brackens.

Seniors Thaler and Mitchael have been to State all 4 years of high school. McBean has competed twice in State Track during her high school career.

Lillian McBean (sr)-was an alternate the first two years of high school then competed in the 4x400m relay her junior and senior year.

Emma Jo Smith (sr)-alternate the last two years for the 4x400m

Kennedy Lane (sr)-alternate senior year for the 4×200

Kaylee “KK” Williams (so)- alternate freshman and sophomore year for the 4×200

Addison Shipley (Fr)-alternate freshman year for the 4x400m.

Congratulations to these hard-working athletes on their 2024 trip to State!

(Courtesy Photos)