With all due respects to its area foes, Elsik’s girls track and field team expected to be at or near the top of the field at this weekend’s Texas Southern University Relays.

It’s the Rams’ respect of their tradition that has them among the area’s best – again.

Elsik finished fourth overall, its 54 points far behind Lancaster (105) and Dallas Skyline (98) but only 11 points shy of third-place Lamar.

The Rams’ weekend was highlighted by its 4-by-200 relay team, which ran 1:37.98 – second-best nationally. But the team of Angelica Kotun, Ashley Idunoba, Alicia Perkins and Amber Evans was edged by Dallas Skyline, which owns the nation’s top times in the 4-by-100 and 4-by-200.

The Rams’ 4-by-100 team (47.24) and 1,600 sprint medley (4:13.42) each finished third, as did Jeannette Miller was third in the high jump (5-feet-4).

Okwe Okolie was fourth in the discus (126-4). The distance medley team also finished fourth.

“We’re finally getting some experience,” Elsik coach Jackie Lemmons said. “Most of these team leaders have been varsity the last several years, and now they’re starting to bring the younger girls along. Amber is one of those key components as far as leadership is concerned.”

Fort Bend Hightower used a spectacular come-from-behind victory in the final heat of the 4-by-400 to wrestle the boys championship from Spring Westfield, 95-91. Robert Simmons’ 46.9-second split brought the Hurricanes from third to first (3:16.93).

Earlier in the day, Hightower’s 4-by-200 relay ran a nation-best time of 1:24.59. Each member of the relay was wearing sunglasses.

Cypress Falls senior Blake Shaw attended the meet as an independent runner because his school district lets athletes participate in only eight events. The USC commit made the most of the weekend, winning the 800 run with a nation-best 1:49.41.

Seven Lakes, one of three Katy ISD schools at the Relays, went 1-2-3 in the 3,200. Chase Rathke won (9:19.11), followed by C.J. Jessett (9:20.24) and Jimmy Welin (9:24.74).

The Spartans’ Chelsea Ricketts won the pole vault (9-0). Jackie Alnes was second in the 3,200 (11:54.61).

Langham Creek’s Travis Nollsch was second in the 400 (48.51). Nicole Peters paced the Lobos girls by winning the mile in 5:08.22.

“I didn’t want to get back in the pack,” said Peters, a Colorado State commit who defeated runner-up Halsey Fowler from Lamar by more than three seconds. “I did that in my last race last weekend and I told myself I was going to take a different approach and go out fast this week.”

Among other area highlights:

* Katy Taylor’s Austin Bussing won the mile (4:24.38) and finished third in the 800 (1:58.6).

* Cinco Ranch’s sprint medley relay team of Bryce Gardner, Andrew Hutchins, Corey Kocurek and Ryan Weatherley won in 3:37.79. Its distance medley team of George Stredney, Hutchins, Weatherley and Justin Dermit won in 10:45.64.

* Strake Jesuit won the 4-by-800 (8:00.77). Its team consisted of Colin Roach, James Webb, Chris Redman and Jordan Hmiadan.

* Mayde Creek’s Joseph Brillon won the boys pole vault (14-6).

* Jersey Village’s Michael Barbas won the shot put (61-4 ½).

* Lamar’s Blessing Mayungbe won the 400 (54.39). She anchored the Redskins’ second-place 4-by-400 team (3:46.26).

The Redskins’ Fowler, Olivia Gantt, Bria Guerin and Anne Jones won the distance medley (12:41.44).

Deandrea Crayton won the boys high jump (6-4).

Complete results are available at www.deltatiming.com.

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