Saenz sets new school mark, places fifth at state

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | May 8, 2024

STATE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pearsall’s Saenz, Dilley’s Aranda seek championships in Austin.

Pearsall’s Curtis Saenz broke the school record yet again, finishing fifth overall in the 100m dash during action at the UIL State Track & Field Championships in Austin last Thursday, May 2.
Gilmer’s Will Henderson won the event with a blistering time of 10.40 while Austen Diggs of La Grange was second at 10.43.
Saenz clocked in at fifth with a personal best time of 10.70.
“Curtis was very focused on his training coming into the state meet,” PHS Head Coach Julian Hernandez said. “He worked on his starts and putting the whole race together during the the week window.

“When it came time to get on the track, he was locked in and ready to roll. We felt that he had put together a complete 100m dash and it showed as he ran a personal best and new school record.”
Saenz had set the previous school mark and his personal best on the same track earlier this year, hitting a 10.75 in prelims at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. He then broke it at the Region IV meet in Kingsville, hitting a time of 10.72.
“We are very proud of him and overjoyed with the results from this season and his career at PHS.”
Saenz finishes his track and field career as a five-time district champion, five-time area champ, regional champion and regional runner-up and two-time state qualifier at Pearsall.
He set new school marks in the 100m dash (10.70), 200m dash (21.83) and 400m relay (42.08) with teammates Tristan Ellis, Nathaniel Rodriguez and Leon Martinez. He is also a member of the senior track group that has won three straight District 29-4A championships.
“Curtis and these seniors being able to advance to the state meet and perform well, means a lot to this program,” Hernandez added. “Pearsall has sent many student athletes to the state championship levels in track and field in the past. We feel that these seniors have helped to rekindle that tradition and have raised the expectations for Pearsall track and field overall.
“We know that the younger student athletes will continue to reach those expectations and compete well for our Pearsall track and field programs.”