Photos Courtesy of Jasone Pearson Media, Cartershots, and submitted
Pampa saw three athletes head to Lubbock this past weekend for the UIL 4A Region 1 Track Meet. Seniors Parker Webb and Avery Ferguson as well as Junior Jace Jones all competed with a chance to go to the State Meet in Austin.
In the first event, Webb and Jones threw the shot put. Webb finished fourth with a throw of 52’3.50.” Jones finished ninth with a throw of 46’8.75.” Neither one qualified for state as only the top two finishers advanced to state.
“I'm proud of the growth Jace showed throughout the season. He works extremely hard and just keeps moving the bar. He gained a lot of experience by advancing to Regionals. He now knows what to expect and how to navigate being in a high-level competition. I believe the experience will help him prepare for next year,” Head Track Coach Eric Langhenning said.
Next up was the discus event. Webb just set personal records in both the shot put and discus last week at the WTAMU Regional Tune Up Meet. This week, Webb beat his personal record again by six feet. He tossed the discus 172’3” for a second-place finish and to qualify for state.
“Parker has had a great couple of weeks. He is a competitor and wants to be the best at everything he does. After placing fourth in Shot Put, he turned around an hour later and threw a personal best in the discus to earn his trip to the show. He has been a great inspiration to our younger kids and has modeled the work ethic, commitment, and resilience it takes to be successful,” Langhenning said.
Parker made it to state his Sophomore year in the discus. His Junior year he went to area for both shot put and discus while making regional for shot put. He is excited to complete his Senior year with another trip to Austin.
“I know I have a lot more in the tank and I am just glad to be able to have withheld that to when it matters at Darrel K Royal Stadium. It’s such a fun experience warming up in a stadium, it gives me a goal to strive for. I am ready to compete and am blessed to have struggled these past two years to get back and get ready to do some great things now,” Webb said.
Ferguson competed in both the 100-meter and 400-meter wheelchair races. He finished third in the 100-meter with a time of 21.25 seconds. He finished third in the 400-meter with a time of 1:53.49. Avery made a trip to state last year and his Sophomore year in the 100-meter and 400-meter. He is making a back-to-back-to-back trip this year as he qualified for the 100-meter again.
“I am excited to go to State again! I have enjoyed being in track. It has taught me about responsibility, and I can do anything I set my mind to,” Ferguson said.
“Avery has done an outstanding job all year. He continues to work and better all aspects of his races. He will get to cap off his High School career with another trip to Austin. He is a joy to be around and his attitude is contagious. Coach (Tad) Smith has done an excellent job training and preparing Avery for this season and I'm really appreciative for his help,” Langhenning said.
Webb and Ferguson will be headed to Austin for the state meet May 14-16. Ferguson will compete at 10 A.M. on Friday the 15th. Webb will compete at 3 P.M. on Thursday May 14th.
“I am very proud of these three young men and love them to death! Each one has made me a better coach,” Langhenning said.
