Rathjen Wins Gold, Bronze at State Track Meet
Natalie Rathjen added to her medal collection on Friday, when she followed up her gold medal in the 3,200 meters with a bronze medal in the 1,600 at the Class 4A state track and field meet in Austin.
In the 3,200, Rathjen’s time of 10 minutes, 23.92 seconds set a new 4A state record in the event, and put her almost 19 seconds ahead of runner-up Evelyn Chavez of New Caney Porter. Rathjen was making her fourth appearance at the state track meet, and her third in multiple events. She won a state cross country title in the fall.
Also at the state meet, HP’s Gabby Crank just missed the podium when she finished fourth in the 800. She was almost four seconds behind Canyon’s Caitlin Rodriguez, who also defeated Chavez and Rathjen in the 1,600 later in the day.
On the boys side, Andrew Clyde claimed a bronze medal in the shot put with a distance of 55 feet, 2 inches. He finished in a third-place tie with Andres Garcia of San Antonio Harlandale, but won the tiebreaker by virtue of having the top second-best throw. It was Clyde’s debut at the state meet.
