Mountain View’s JJ Phillips, top, congratulates Rocky Mountain’s Sam Lofstrum after Lofstrum won the 50-yard freestyle at the Northern League meet Saturday at the Mountain View Aquatic Center. Phillips finished third. (Nathan Wright/Loveland Reporter-Herald)

AUSTIN – On top of the Panhandle Ettes and Stratford’s Bryce Braden’s record-breaking performances there were a handful of athletes that came home with medals during the UIL Class 2A state track and field meet Friday and Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Gruver saw a pair of hurdlers come home with bronze medals Saturday. Senior Tyerin Aranda clocked in with a time of 45.26 to earn herself a bronze medal. Aranda also finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.91.

Freshman Mason Lankford continued his fantastic first year of varsity athletics. Lankford has been a part of the Greyhounds state semifinal football team, a regional finalist basketball squad and an unbeaten baseball team still rolling in the playoffs. On Saturday, Lankford added to his great season getting third in a very tight 300-meter hurdle race getting a bronze medal running a 40.78.

“It means a lot to get this medal,” Lankford said. “It’s been a fun year and a learning year for me. The coaches have helped me out a lot and it’s been fun. Running here was so awesome. I’m just glad to be here and competing.”

Lankford also placed fifth in the 110-meter hurdles with a 15.20.

Farwell had two outstanding runner stands showing off their skills at the state meet. Multi-sport star Isabella Jaime ran a great race in the 800-meter getting a silver medal with a time of 2:15.12.

“It was a lot faster than I expected,” Jaime said. “It meant a lot for me to medal. I’ve been here four years and never medaled. I knew I had a chance this year and I just had to use all my energy.”

Jaime also finished eighth in the 400-meter race (1:00.10). Teammate Alexis Wade joined Jaime with a bronze medal time of 5:15.24 in the 1600-meter run.

Wellington ended a great track season with two athletes getting their names called on the medal stand. Major Brown kick started things Friday in the long jump with a leap of 21-11 1/2 to gain a bronze medal. Teammate DeMarcus Lewis followed with a bronze of his own in the 200-meter sprint blazing a 21.59.

For a look at the full results from the UIL state track meet, please visit https://uil.tfresult.com/

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday titled “Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation,” where she introduced Dr. Barry Sleckman, Director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. The hearing brought together lawmakers and medical research leaders to discuss the nation’s biomedical innovation and the role of federal funding in cancer prevention and treatment.

Dr. Sleckman leads Alabama’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) invited Britt to provide introductory remarks before his testimony.

“It is a distinct honor to introduce Dr. Barry Sleckman, a leading voice in cancer research and patient care and a true asset to the whole state of Alabama and to our nation,” Britt stated. She praised UAB’s efforts under Sleckman’s leadership and emphasized the center’s regional and national impact in advancing cancer treatment and prevention.

During her line of questioning, Britt underscored the personal impact of cancer on families and communities, referencing stories like that of Alabama resident Gary Cornelius, a patient who attributes his recovery to care received at UAB’s cancer center.

“What are some of the things that you’re doing and investing in that will ultimately change lives in the future?” Britt asked Dr. Sleckman.

In response, Sleckman described ongoing research at UAB aimed at developing new treatments, including approaches for drug-resistant cancers. He noted that such discoveries are occurring across all 73 NCI-designated cancer centers in the U.S., made possible through federal support.

Addressing national trends, Britt asked about the rise in cancer diagnoses, particularly among younger populations. Sleckman acknowledged this increase, attributing it to several factors including aging populations, continued tobacco use, and obesity rates in several states. He also called attention to an unexplained increase in colon cancer cases among individuals in their 20s, which he said is now the subject of new federal research grants.

When asked about the importance of public investment, Sleckman emphasized the unique role federal dollars play in cancer prevention. “There are not a lot of other revenue streams for cancer prevention. This is not really a high priority, for example, for industry and pharma,” he said. “And so federal funding, to understand how to develop cancer prevention approaches, is critical.”

The hearing highlighted both the challenges and advancements in cancer research and served as a platform for Alabama’s UAB to showcase its contributions to national health outcomes through federally supported innovation.

The MDI Trojans beat the Old Town Coyotes 3-2 in the 8th inning in Bar Harbor on Saturday, May 3rd.

With the game tied at 2-2, Colin Sullivan walked to start the inning. Alex Roos singled to left, and Sullivan went to 3rd. Mason LaPointe then grounded to 1st and Sullivan beat the throw to the plate, to give the Trojans the win.

Preston Tripp started on the mound and went 6.2 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs, 1 of which was earned. He struck out 7 and walked 2. Spencer Grierson picked up the win, pitching the final 1.1 innings.

LaPointe had 2 stolen bases. Roos, Brady Thurston and Sullivan each had a stolen base.

Sullivan was 1-3 with a double for MDI, Roos was 1-4 with a run batted in. Cameron Graham and Eli MacDonnell each singled for MDI

Julian Duty started on the mound for the Coyotes. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just 3 hits and 2 runs, 1 of which was earned. He struck out 10 and walked 1. Tyler Priest took the loss, pitching the final 1.1 innings with 1 hit and 1 run striking out 4 and walking 2.

Ethan Closson had a pair of hits for the Coytoes. Priest, Duty and Jackson Brawn each had a single.

Closson swiped 2 bases, with Duty and Priest each stealing a base.

MDI is now 1-1. They will host the Hermon Hawks on Monday, May 5th at 4:30 p.m.

Old Town lost for the 1st time and are now 3-1. They will host Hermon on Thursday, May 8th at 4:30 p.m.

Nominations for the Athlete of the Week are now open for performances April 28- May 3. Please email your nomination to chris.popper@townsquaremedia.com, letting us know why the individual should be the Athlete of the Week. Please include stats, and make sure you indicate what school this individual attends, and what sport they’re playing! All nominations should be received by Sunday, May 4th. Voting for Week 3 will take place May 5th -8th with the winner being announced on Friday, May 9th.

Vets Memorial cruises past Weslaco East for the series sweep; Flour Bluff comes back against Harlingen South.