Several Plano runners advanced in the track and field postseason following their performances in the district, area and regional meets.

The results of the district meet, held early this April at Marcus Stadium in Flower Mound, sent 10 individual competitors and one relay team to the area round. Junior Alexandra Headley placed second in the girls shot put event at the district meet with a distance of 37 feet 4.5 inches.

“I hoped to get at least 42 feet in the shot put before the season was over,” Headley said.

Headley, who set the girls shot put school record earlier this year with a distance of 40 feet 9.5 inches, set her goals high in the hope of reaching the state tournament.

“My coach told me that if I worked hard enough, I would be able to make the state tournament in Austin,” Headley said. “I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.”

While Headley did not reach the regional meet, junior Charles Brockman qualified for it in both the boys 110-meter hurdles and the boys 300-meter hurdles. Finishing second in each event in both the district and area meets, Brockman set a new school record in the 300-meter hurdles at the district meet with a time of 36.80 seconds.

“I’m just thankful that I’ve been able to make it this far,” Brockman said. “I’m trying to get better and better after each tournament that I run.”

In addition to his school-record time in the 300-meter hurdles, Brockman also set a new school record in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.75 seconds at the area meet. This time was 0.15 seconds faster than the previous record, also set by Brockman last year.

“Like last year, it was very surprising to break one of the school records and it has been the best part of my season,” Brockman said. “I’ve never been happier than after I broke the two records.”

Among those joining Brockman at the regional meet were senior Chase Pareti, who placed third in the boys 800-meter run, and the girls 4×400 meter relay team, who placed second at the area meet.

Brockman was the lone representative from Plano to qualify for the state meet, and he did so in both the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. Brockman set yet another school record in the process as well, running the 300-meter hurdles in 36.70 seconds.

“I’m trying to work really hard, but I make sure not to tax myself and try to focus on everything I’m doing,” Brockman said. “Most of the work I’m doing now is just fine tuning my skills, so I’ll be able to do well.”

Boys head track coach Tim Eshleman feels confident in the ability of Brockman to perform well at the state meet in Austin.

“Charles has a real shot to win the 300-meter hurdles,” Eshleman said.

In anticipation of the state meet, Eshleman stresses the importance of a week-by-week preparation approach.

“We prepare for each round one week at a time,” Eshleman said.