GAMES
RANKINGS
2022-23 TWCA Girls Track & Field
STATE WRAP: TWCA delivers gold finishes at TAPPS Championship
TWCA made a strong introduction in the competition, during Friday’s series of Field events, as sophomore Taylor Makiya started the show off in style, by being crowned as the 5A Girls Shot Put State Champion after throwing for just over 39 feet. This gold medal will pair nicely with the one from 2022 she has at home.
TWCA's Taylor MakiyaBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Later on Friday, the Warriors also enjoyed two more top placements from Andrew Cockrill (So.) who finished in the No. 3 spot for the Boys Pole Vault (12-00), while senior AJ Belser took bronze in the Boys Discus with a throw of 143’4”.
Saturday’s events were even more impressive, with juniors Zoe Calamani and Sarah Chappelle, in particular, being the stars of the show.
TWCA's Zoe CalimaniBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Not only did the pair have integral roles in the third-place finish for the Girls 4x200 Relay (4:04.69), but Calimani would conclude the Meet with another bronze in the 400m (57.14s), as well as a State Title in the 800m (2:18.67)
Similarly, Chappelle would become a State Champion after showcasing her premier speed in the 300m Hurdles (45.75s), while placing third in the 100m (15.22s).
TWCA's Sarah ChappelleBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The final tally listed the TWCA Girls in the No. 5 spot with 65 points, and the Boys at eleventh overall (23.5 points).
While the composite team results weren’t as high as the Warriors would have hoped, the individual successes speak for themselves.
Considering the majority of the group will be returning a year from now, who’s to say they can’t change that next time around?
TWCA's Taylor Makiya
Making Gains: TWCA's Makiya Already Showing Signs of Greatness
What’s most surprising, however, is how much momentum she’s gained having just picked up the shot a few years back.
“I first started competing in track and field in middle school,” said Makiya. “I decided to try shot put and a few other events in eighth grade and I really enjoyed it. After my freshmen year, the offseason felt really slow at first because I had to start up everything again. From there, I worked with a private coach on my form and worked in the gym.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
She exploded onto the scene as a freshman earning silver medals in the 2022 District and Regional Meets, before winning gold at last year’s State Meet.
She’s picked up where she left off this year, winning gold in the University of Houston Indoor Meet. On top of that, her performance for USATF has garnered three silver medals and a seventh-place finish in the USATF Championships.
“My goals are to build on last year’s successes and hit a new personal record,” Makiya said. “I also hope to grow in other events than shot put throughout the season.”
Makiya aspires to be like her role model New Zealand shot put star, Valarie Adams, because of the Olympian’s elite form and power.
For now, however, she hopes to launch the discuss and shot put through the air further than any other Warrior before her. She’s well on her way.