UIL state track notebook: Lazbuddie's Theodore Chavez is golden in Class 1A boys shot put

AUSTIN — Theodore Chavez got better. And better. And better.

The Lazbuddie senior improved on each attempt in winning the Class 1A boys shot put at the UIL state track and field meet Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Chavez's final launch went 54 feet, 3¼ inches to set a personal and school record. A year after placing fourth, Chavez ended his high school career with a shiny prize.

"It feels great, all the hard work just paying off," Chavez said. "I just thank God that he allowed me to come here, let alone bring the state championship shot put back."

Cherokee's Joseph Bond, whose 52-6 at regionals was an inch better than Chavez for the top seed, fouled four times but got off a second-place throw (51-8). Loop's Luis Castillo placed third at 49-5¾.

"Today was one of the better days, at least toward the end," said Chavez, who threw 50-½ on his first try. "In the beginning, it was rough, especially in warmups. After I got my first throw in, I eventually got in my rhythm and that just made it easier to throw."

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Chavez will soon hang up his athletic shoes. The next stop is West Texas A&M with plans to study kinesiology.

"Last year, it was hard to miss that medal," Chavez said, "so I think that just made it a lot more sweeter to get that gold."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For full results and a state meet wrap-up, visit lubbockonline.com/sports.

Other Lubbock results

► Guthrie's Coulter Reel finished fourth in the 1A girls high jump after clearing 5-0. It was the first of three events for the senior Friday.

► Guthrie freshman Griff Reel almost came away with his first medal. His 10:14.68 was good for fourth place, 0.68 seconds behind Cumby Miller Grove's Ryker Haivala.

► The Jayton sophomore duo of Daylee Chisum and Kamryn Nail placed sixth and ninth, respectively, in the 1A girls 3,200. Chisum finished in 12:34.28 and Nail ran a 13:39.34.

► Paducah freshman Talon Blount finished seventh in the 1A girls discus with a throw of 107-9.

► Whitharral's Shamadrick Weaver got seventh place in the 1A boys long jump at 20-6.

► Nazareth's Caroline Myrick placed eighth in the 1A girls long jump at 15-11½.

► Borden County's Rexie Sanders finished ninth in the 1A girls shot put at 32-4¾.