Summer track season has rounded the final turn and is headed down the home stretch, and the Aubrey Area Youth Sports Association's track team is on its way to an impressive finish after its showing at the Texas Amateur Athletics Federation Region 4 Track & Field Meet on July 16 and 17.
AAYSA sent 66 competitors to Brewer High School to compete against the best Region 4 had to offer, with 22 athletes across 26 events moving on to the 2026 TAAF Summer Games of Texas State Track and Field Meet.
“The competition this year was a lot more intense, and there were a lot more runners,” AAYSA track commissioner Michelle Watkins said. “Some events had anywhere from 30 to 90 participants, but overall, we did well, and I’m excited at how many we have going to State.”
Cross Oaks Elementary first grader Allison Agochi was the team’s top performer in the sprint events, winning gold in the 6U girls 50- and 100-meter dashes with times of 9.43 and 18.68 seconds.
“I liked running and getting first place,” Agochi said. “… I felt like I had super energy, so I ran fast.”
She added that she “wants to bring home gold and silver” medals from the State meet.
Pilot Point Elementary third grader Luke Eichenberger finished seventh in the 8U boys 400-meter dash with a time of 1:19.05.
“I felt really excited about how I did, and now I get to go on to State,” he said. “I’m really hoping I can beat my best time there and come back with a medal.”
Jaxon Hester was the team’s lone qualifier in the middle-distance races, finishing sixth in the 12U boys 800-meter run with a time of 2:43.15.
Tripp Lankford was the top performer in the long-distance events, placing fourth in the 12U boys 1600-meter run with a time of 5:52.6.
Audrey Johnson finished seventh in the 14U girls 1600-meter run with a time of 6:22.9.
Ella Watkins placed seventh in the 14U girls 3200-meter run with a time of 15:03.8.
Ava Walton finished seventh in the 16U girls 3200-meter run with a time of 14.41.74.
Aubrey High School freshman Harley McCraw was the top performer in the hurdle events, recording silver medal finishes in the 14U girls 100- and 300-meter hurdles with times of 17.39 and 49.86 seconds.
“I did pretty great, all glory to God,” McCraw said. “I feel like you get out of the experience what you put into it, and I [ran] well, and I only need to trim off one second to beat the top person at State, so I feel pretty confident.”
She said she hopes last year’s experience will help her be more relaxed on the big stage.
“Last year, when they said, 'on your mark,' I was so nervous I flinched,” Mc-Craw said. “I’m hoping it's better this year because I know what it’s going to be like, so it won’t be as scary for me.”
Tyson Edwards took bronze in the 14U boys 110-meter hurdles, recording a time of 18.8 seconds.
Waylon Graham finished sixth in the 12U boys 80-meter hurdles, with a time of 17.35 seconds.
Tessa Brezofski finished seventh in the 12U girls 80-meter hurdles, with a time of 19.27 seconds.
Alia Crosland was the top performer in the field events, placing fourth in the 8U girls long jump with a distance of 10-feet-2 1/2-inches.
Ved Keshari finished fifth in the 10U boys shot put with a throw of 18-feet-11-inches.
Graysen Brown placed sixth in the 10U boys shot put with a toss of 13-feet-3inches.
Ellie Clay finished seventh in the 12U girls shot put with a throw of 20-feet-5-inches.
Camden Brown placed seventh in the 14U boys shot put with a throw of 25-feet-2-inches.
In the relay events, the 12U girls team finished fifth in the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 1:13.52.
The 10U girls team placed seventh in the 4x100-meter relay, recording a time of 6:09.77.
As the AAYSA’s track program continues to grow, Michelle said she’s hoping the team can also improve in its second appearance at the TAAF Summer Games of Texas.
“I want them all to be able to place, and they have the opportunity to place high,” she said. “… Last year we had two who earned ribbons out of the 12 [athletes] we took, so I’m hoping for more than that this year.”
AAYSA’s track team is scheduled to compete at the 2026 TAAF Summer Games of Texas starting Thursday through Aug. 2 in Bryan and College Station.
