Performing at the New York Madison Square Garden gives everyone the gitters and it was no different for PSJA’s High School Sophomore Alex Chavez. Alex was one of the two youngest person’s walking the prestigious 102nd Millrose Games One-Mile in New York this Friday. He was able to finish in 9th place setting another personal best time of 6:52:9 beating three-time U.S.A. Olympian Curt Clausen; 2006 Junior Athlete of the Year Michael Kazmierczak, now a Junior at Rhode Island University and previous National Champion Don Lawrence.

Also walking among the eleven fastest racewalk One-Milers in the country were former South Texas Walking Club twins Ricardo and Roberto Vergara of Edinburg, now freshmen at Lindsay Wilson College in Kentucky. They, after a four month layoff from racewalking, were able to capture 6th and 7th place respectively, just ahead of Alex with times of 6:41 and 6:43.

Winning the men’s event was two-time USA Racewalk Olympian and South Texas Walking Club Assistant Coach Tim Seaman of California. Tim became the second person to ever win this event for a record five times since its inception. Winning 4th and 5th place in incredible times of 6:14 and 6:37 were high school Junior Trevor Barron, our current USA high school leader from Pennsylvania and Tyler Sorenson, a high school freshman from California. Tyler has been breaking many American Junior Olympic Records the past two years.

Rachell Lavallee, Canada’s fastest women racewalker, won the women’s event over ten of America’s fastest women racewalkers. Rachel broke the Millrose Games Record in the process.  Rachell is also one of Coach A.C. Jaime’s club assistants’ helping provide clinics to many on the local elementary school children during the past three years.

Press Release

From: A.C. Jaime (956.821.6659)

To:  Queenie Pemelton

Racewalking Classes & Tournament

The PSJA Independent School District Elementary School Coaches are teaching racewalking classes with the assistance of the South Texas Walking Club.  The classes are being taught to all 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders and are well underway. 

Many of the South Texas Walking Club Members, including Ricardo and Roberto Vergara, thirteen and fifteen time High School All Americans from Edinburg, were on hand to lend a helping hand to several of the elementary school coaches.  Also lending their assistance were PSJA’s five time High School Sophomore All American, Alex Chavez; Pennsylvania’s current top high school racewalker in the country, Trevor Barron; Lauren Forgues of Maine, one of America’s Top College Girls and Canada’s Top Racewalker, Rachael Lavalle.

The South Texas Walking Club had a Children’s Racewalking book written and published and with the help of

PSJA I.S.D. and several local businesses purchased and loaned 6,500 of these books to all PSJA I.S.D. Elementary School Children.  The Club, with the assistance of the PSJA’s professional staff, produced an instructional children’s racewalking DVD that is currently being used by the PSJA Elementary School coaches along with a teachers racewalking curriculum prepared by Dr. Tom Eastler and the University of Maine staff.  The book, video and curriculum are furthermore now also being used by several schools and many clubs throughout the USA and other countries. 

A PSJA Elementary School Racewalk Tournament is now being planned.  Many of the children have elected to join the walking club’s afternoon 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. practices at the PSJA High School Track to further the training being received at their schools and to be prepared for the upcoming competitions.  The top ten boys and the top ten girls in each of four age divisions from each of the districts twenty-six elementary schools will compete with their neighbor school on Saturday, March 7^th for the right to represent their area at their North and South City Competitions on Sunday, March 8^th. The top ten boys and top ten girl winners in each age bracket from the North and South Section of their city will then compete at their City Championship on Sunday, March 22^nd.   

The top ten boys and top ten girls in each age division from each of the three cities will then compete at the Tri-City Championship to be held on Sunday, March 29^th beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Pharr Liberty Middle School.  The top winners from each city will be accompanied during their race by one of the top USA Junior Elite Racewalkers or USA Olympians that will be competing at “The America’s Cup Trails” that will be held in Texas for the first time ever, courtesy of the Pharr Chamber of Commerce.  The children will get the opportunity to provide water for the Junior Elite and Olympian Racewalkers during their 10K and 20K races that will start at the same location beginning at 7:00 a.m. An area will be set aside on school grounds for spectators to view all races. 

Please advise all that the host hotel for the Americana's Cup Trials being held in Pharr Texas on March 29, 2009 is the:

Country Inn & Suites (Primary $69.00 +tax)

4607 N Cage Pharr, Texas 78577

956-782-8832

as well as the:

Motel 6 (Secondary $45.00 +tax)

4701 N Cage Pharr, Texas 78577 956-781-7202

Houston, TX, January 11, 2009 – John Evans 50.

Flat asphalt 2500m loop, #TX07073ETM.

Temperature high 30's to high 50's, overcast.

Wind still with gusts to 10mph; humidity low.

Judges: Don Austin, Janis Blum, Bob Cella, Kay Cella, Gene Eastman, Tish Hanna, Ginger Mulanax, Bert Pickell, Dan Pierce.

50km racewalk, 1. Alberto Molina 5:20:48 (South Region Champion);

2. Juan Yanes (VEN) 5:35:56;

3. Duane Staley 5:56:27 PR;

4. Bruce Logan 6:00:24;

5. Jorge Herrera (MEX) 6:30:36;

DNF – Peter Bayer, Benjamin Rendon (MEX).

5km racewalk, 1. Jose Luis Duce (ESP) 24:00;

2. Alex Chavez (Age 15!) 24 :01 PR;

3. Claudia Ortiz 30:59; 4. Diana Flores 37:01.

20km racewalk, DQ – David Gonzalez Cruz (MEX), Rule 232.

Alberto pulled away from the other 50km walkers early and also faded less than his competitors. The 48-year-old Austin resident's time was 15 seconds slower than the previous year. Four late cancellations held the field to its customary single-digit size after 2008's national titles (masters and women) attracted a field of 19. Starting an hour later, the 5km race saw Jose Luis attempting to protect the sore leg that had prompted him to cancel his 50km entry. He nonetheless had enough in him to edge South Texas Walking Club's emerging star, Alex Chavez. Alex cut 40 seconds from his week-old PR. Jose Luis Duce is a Spanish citizen who has recently moved to Corsicana, Texas (a bit south of Dallas) after a period in New York, bringing a 20km PR of 1:32.. The 2010 edition of the John Evans 50 must leave its current site, probably for the 1183-meter loop used in the decade prior to 2008. Yes, these results are being provided to Track and Field News.

Texas Largest Judged 5 Kilometer Race Walk

Pharr, Texas Saturday,

January 3rd, 2009

The course for the upcoming America's Cup Trials on Sunday, March 29th, got a thorough workout this morning with 44 walkers competing in Texas' Largest 5 Kilometer Judged Race Walk. Five race records and a slew of PR's were achieved as overcast skies kept conditions cool. The women's course record of 23:47 owned by Debra Huberty was the biggest to go down as 22 year old Rachel Lavelle from Canada hit 23:40 to finish 5th overall and first for the women. Finishing second overall for the women and busting Jessica Reybal's age 13 record was Nicolette Sorenson. The Pleasanton Heat flash from Lafayette, California, cruised to a 28:00, good for 12th overall. Reybal's old record was 28:45.

Over on the men's side Olympian Tim Seaman made it a 3 for 3 win week. The new, improved, 2009 version of Tim Seaman disappeared the age 35-39 record of 24:14 owned by the 2008 edition with a winning effort of 21:22. Dragged to big PR in Seaman's wake was Trevor Barron with a new age 16 mark of 21:40. Zac Pollinger had the old mark of 22:19. But Barron better not count on leaving any long standing marks. His age 14 record of 23:44 went crumbling down under the quick stepping soles of Tyler Sorenson. The new age 14 record setter lowered Barron's old mark of 23:44 with a new standard of 23:10. Other campers with new personal bests on the men's side include 2008 Collegiate indoor champ Chris Tegtmeier, Pharr's own Alex Chavas with a 24:40 and Canada's Bruno Cariere. Tim & AC Jaime are doing a great job of motivating and planning the short and long term development of the current group of junior men. The potential exists for 6 American junior men to walk 49 minutes, or better, when the USA selects its team on March 29th to represent our country at the America's Cup in El Salvador.

On the young lady's side 14 year old Sarah Kenney, from Bellbrook, Ohio, achieved a one minute PR. In general the girls arrived in camp less prepared than the guys for a hard 9 days of training and were tired at the end. The emphasis upon all the young ladies is to resume training as soon as possible and replicate the pattern, mileage, and enthusiasm they demonstrated during the camp. That effort and dedication is required to attain the 55 minute minimum required to earn a spot on the USA's Americas Cup squad for junior women. In the 75 and older division 7 men competed for the first place trophy. Presley Donaldson of Hillsboro, Texas, eked out a narrow 6 second win over Norman Izard to claim the prize. A strong contingent from Veracruz, Mexico, once again gave this event a true international flavor! AC Jaime, Tim Seaman, Rachel Lavelle, all the parents of the South Texas Walking Club, race walk judges, and all the other volunteers, are to be commended for organizing this opportunity for dedicated athletes to come together, learn, train, and form bonds of friendship and team spirit that will hopefully last a life time! Thank you.

Race Results:

1. Tim Seaman (NY AC) Imperial Beach, CA - M36 - 21:22

2. Trevor Barron (South Park TC) Bethel Park, PA - M16 - 21:40 (PR)

3. Chris Tegtmeier (Concordia Univ) Jansen, NE - M21 - 22:18 (PR)

4. Tyler Sorrenson (Pleasanton Heat TC) Lafayette, CA - M14 - 23:10 (PR)

5. Rachel Lavellee (Etobicoke TC) Canada - F22 - 23:40

6. Matthew Forgues (Maine RWers) Boothbay, ME - M16 - 23:54

7. Roberto Vergara (Lindsey Wilson Col.) Edinburg, TX - M18 - 24:11

8. Ricardo Vergara (Lindsey Wilson Col.) Edinburg, TX - M18 - 24:20

9. Alex Chavez (South Texas WC) Pharr, TX - M15 - 24:40 (PR)

10. Bruno Carriere (Quebec, Canada) - M16 - 24:54 (PR)

11. Alberto Mediam (South Texas WC) Austin, TX - M48 - 27:01

12. Nicolette Sorrenson (Pleasanton Heat TC) Layfayette, CA - F13 - 28:00

13. Tina Peters (Goshen College, In.) Yellow Springs, OH - F20 - 28:28

14. Allison Chin (Miami Valley TC) Tipp City, OH - F16 - 28:34

15. Claudia Ortiz (South Texas WC) Mission, TX - F15 - 28:53

16. Hannah Kisley (Raleigh Walkers) Raliegh, NC - F15 - 29:37

17. Christie Bernier (Maine RWers) Auburn, ME - F16 - 30:06

18. Sarah Kenney (Miami Valley TC) Bellbrook, OH - F14 - 30:27 (PR)

19. Steven Valdez (South Texas WC) McAllen, TX - M10 - 30:58 PR

20. Mercedes Mancha (Elgin Sharks) Elgin, IL - F18 - 32:38

21. Jorge Herrera Roman, (Veracruz) Poza Pica, Mexico - M68 - 33:19

22. Diana Lee Flores (South Texas WC) Pharr, TX - F14 - 34:09

23. Ariana Guzman (South Texas WC) Mission, TX - F14 - 34:19

24. Benjamin Lopez Rendo (Veracruz) Poza Pica, Mexico - M60 - 35:01

25. John Knifton (unat) - Austin, TX - M69 - 35:04

26. Geraldo (Bebe) Flores (South Texas WC) Pharr, TX - M12 - 35:38

27. Josephine Vargas (South Texas WC) Pharr, TX - F12 - 35:43

28. Presley Donaldson (South Texas WC) Hillsboro, TX - M75 - 35:51

29. Norman Izard, Weslaco, TX - M76 - 35:57

30. Jennifer Vargas (South Texas WC) Pharr, TX - F11 - 38:28

31. Bianca Garza (South Texas WC) Pharr, TX - F9 - 38:28

32. David Gonzalez Cruz (Veracruz) Poza Pica, Mexico - M75 - 40:01

33. Teafilo Theurel Franay (Veracruz) Poza Pica, Mexico - M75 - 40:02

34. Becky Pichardo (Univ Texas San Antonio) San Juan, TX - F22 - 41:02

35. Annabelle Walker (unat) Donna, TX - F70 - 41:59

36. Carlos Torres (unat) Eagle Pass, TX - M26 - 43:42

37. Severina Toren (South Texas WC) Alamo, TX - 44:09

38. Pablo Escobar (South Texas WC) McAllen, TX - 44:13

39. Joy Guetersloh (unat) Mission, TX - F70 - 44:48

40. Donna Griffin (unat) - F73 - 49:24

41. Jack Griffin (unat) Pharr, TX - M77 - 50:13

42. Carl Nowack (unat) Pharr, TX - M74 - 50:14

43. Dolores Rodriguez (unat) Pharr, TX - F64 - 52:31

44. William Johnstone (unat) Mission, TX - M76 - 52:52

Texas Largest Judged One Mile Walk

PSJA High School, Pharr, Texas

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

Earlier today at PSJA High School Olympian Tim Seaman of the New York Athletics Club captured the annual happing that is Texas’s Largest Judged One Mile Race Walk. Seaman, a four time winner of the famed Rudin Mile at Madison Garden’s Millrose Games, led 8 others under the 7 minute barrier in windy conditions. Youngsters, thriving on the camp's week of twice a day workouts excelled, especially HS junior Trevor Barron from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Nebraska's Chris Tegtmeier. Their second and third place finishes resulted in life time best performances. The first four have declared their intent to compete in this year’s Millrose Games, Friday, January 30th, which will also serve as the USA National Championships for the 1 mile race walk. Capturing a two second lifetime best in the women’s field with a 7:04 victory was Canadian star Rachel Lavellee. Indiana’s Goshen College junior Tina Peters, and Molly Josephs a high school student from Long Island, New York, also made the qualifying time for Millrose and announced their intent to compete for the USA Women's 1 Mile Championships. Alejendro Chavez, a sophomore at PSJA high, was the top local finisher placing 9th overall, right behind the Vergara twins from Edinburgh. Chavez’s time of 6:55 made him eligible to compete in the high school national indoor track & field championships in Boston on March 14th. The Vergara’s, Roberto and Ricardo, are freshman walkers on the collegiate T&F team at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky. Claudia Ortiz, another South Texas Walking Club star, was 6th among the women with a quick time of 8:18 for the mile. Thisat time qualified her for the High School National Indoor T&F Championships in Boston on March 14th. Vern Mauk, illustrating artist of the book Racewalking! Fun?, showed his support of the youngsters by participating in today’s race. AC Jaime, and all the parents of the South Texas Walking Club are to be congratulated for putting on yet another fantastic walking competition!

1. Tim Seaman (NY AC) M36 6:11

2. Trevor Barron (South Park TC) M16 6:25

3. Chris Tegtmeier (Concordia Univ. NE) M21 6:31

4. Tyler Sorrenson (Pleasanton Heat TC) M14 6:40

5. Bruno Carriere (Quebec, Canada) M16 6:47

6. Roberto Vergara (Lindsey Wilson Col.) M18 6:53

7. Ricardo Vergara (Lindsey Wilson Col.) M18 6:54

8. Matthew Forgues (Maine RWers) M16 6:55

9. Alex Chavez (South Texas WC) M15 6:55

10. Rachel Lavellee (Etobicoke TC, Canada) F22 7:04

11. Tina Peters (Goshen College, In.) F20 7:43

12. Molly Josephs (Walk USA) F14 7:50

13. Nicolette Sorrenson (Pleasanton Heat) F13 8:02

14. Hannah Kisley (Raleigh Walkers) F15 8:12

15. Claudia Ortiz (South Texas WC) F15 8:18

16. Allison Chin (Miami Valley TC) F16 8:26

17. Christie Bernier (Maine RWers) F16 8:39

18. Mercedes Mancha (Elgin Sharks) F18 8:43

19. Sarah Kenney (Miami Valley TC) F14 8:58

20. Steven Valdez (South Texas WC) M10 9:15

21. Diana Lee Flores (South Texas WC) F14 9:31

22. Geraldo (Bebe) Flores (South Texas WC) M12 9:38

23. Josephine Vargas (South Texas WC) F12 9:47

24. Ariana Guzman (South Texas WC) F14 9:49

25. Jorge Herrera M65 10:03

26. Cherry Chavez (South Texas WC) F9 10:06

27. Bianca Garza (South Texas WC) F9 10:16

28. Alannah Chavez (South Texas WC) F12 11:06

29. Benjamin Lopez M60 11:17

30. Norman Izard M75 11:27

31. Annel Chavez (South Texas WC) F30 11:29

32. Rolando Pichardo (South Texas WC) M9 11:51

33. Guillero Pichardo (South Texas WC) M10 12:20

34. Teafilo Theurel M75 12:24

35. David Gonzalez Cruz M75 12:28

36. Bella Pichardo (South Texas WC) F9 12:34

37. Annabelle Walker F70 13:13

38. Natasha Hobson (South Texas WC) F9 13:45

39. Jonothan Hobson (South Texas WC) M10 13:52

40. Victoria Garza (South Texas WC) F10 14:49

41. Vern Mauk M75 16:21

Texas Walk Week, the camp here in Pharr, Texas, kicked off today with an easy 3 kilometer work-out-the-kinks walk in the morning. Then, this afternoon, a little 1 hour walk on the track was held to find out where everyone is going into a week of twice a day workouts. There were 4 judges, but the temperature at the 4:30pm start was a toasty 94 degrees. So very few pushed the pace. Luckily, more normal (cooler) temperatures are expected for the rest of the week (A high of 65 is predicted for Sunday).

Texas Walk Week 1 Hour Race Walk

1. Tim Seaman (NY AC) M36 12647 (meters)

2. Trevor Barron (South Park TC) M16 12207

3. Chris Tegtmeier (Concordia U) M21 11334

4. Tyler Sorrenson (Pleasanton Heat) M14 10933

5. Matt Forgues (Maine RWers) M16 10494

6. Alex Chavez (South Texas WC) M15 10420

7. Bruno Carrier (Canada) M16 10221

8. Rachel Lavallee (Canada) F22 10093

9. Nicolette Sorrenson (Pleasanton H.) F13 9623

10. Christie Bernier (Maine RWers) F16 9412

11. Claudia Ortiz (South Texas WC) F15 9155

12. Hannah Kisley (North Carolina) F15 9097

13. Allison Chin (Miami Valley TC) F16 8800

14. Mercedes Mancha (Elgin Sharks) F18 8766

15. Tina Peters (Goshen College) F20 8588

16. Molly Josephs (Walk USA) F14 8535

17. Sarah Kenney (Miami Valley TC) F14 8340

18. Diana Flores (South Texas WC) F14 8087

19. Bianca Garza (South Texas WC) F8 7623

20. Josie Vargai (South Texas WC) F12 7623

21. Ricardo Vergara (Lindsey Wilson C) F18 6000

22. Roberto Vergara (Lindsey Wilson C) F18 5200

Since so many people have contaced us asking to know which one of their friends are coming to the camp, we have decided to put up a partial list of attendees.

Lauren Forgues

Rachel Lavallee (Canada)

Tim Seaman

Trevor Barron

Chris Tegtmeier

Christie Bernier

Janelle Brown

Jonathan Brown

Nicolette Sorensen

Molly Joseph

Bruno Carriere (Canada)

Ricardo Vergara

Roberto Vergara

Alex Chavez

Tyler Sorensen

Allison Chin

Tina Peters

Diana Flores

Claudia Ortiz

Sarah Kinney

Jesica Reybal

Steven Valadez

So far, we have 22 people confirmed to come to the training camp.  If you are interested in joining us, please contact us ASAP because spots will fill up and airline ticket prices will go up.

Well, it is not exactly how it sounds, but we have just heard that three different Coach's will be bring members of their teams to South Texas for the Training camp that American Record Holder Tim Seaman, Canadian National Champion Rachel Lavallee and the South Texas Walking Club will be hosting.

Coach Salvador Velazco of Baja California will be bringing three boys and one girl from their elite racewalking team to our camp in December. 

Also, Coach Fernando Infante from Zitacuaro, Michoacan and Celia Marcen Murio from Monterrey, Mexico have advised Coach Jaime that they will for sure be sending as many elite athletes as they can.

 This is a great moment and special thanks need to be given to Coach AC Jaime for working so hard to build cross border bridges for the kids.

The Pharr–San Juan–Alamo Independent School District, more commonly known as PSJA, has adopted a developmental elementary school Racewalk program that is proving to be a big hit with school coaches and parents.

 Recently, 131 elementary school physical education coaches from PSJA and surrounding school districts attended the second coaches-level Racewalk clinic sponsored by the South Texas Walking Club.  Led by national team member and noted Racewalk author Dave McGovern, and assisted by accomplished national-level Racewalker Loretta Schuellein, the second clinic proved to be just as inspiring and motivational for the coaches as was for the first clinic given by international-level judge Gary Westerfield back in March. 

Taking the lead after the clinics, PSJA ISD plans to educate all its elementary school coaches on the “Art of Racewalking” before November 1.  Then, the coaches will begin teaching Racewalking to the district’s entire third, fourth, and fifth graders--approximately 6500 youngsters.  The administration has also requested that all coaches teach Racewalking at their 26 elementary schools for a period of three weeks and to allow any child that desires to continue Racewalking do so during their Friday classes.  

At our request, PSJA ISD is considering allowing 7^th and 8^th graders, and high school students, ½ credit per semester for participation in the existing Racewalking program.  Other area school districts are considering starting a similar effort—a major reason why clinic attendance significantly increased from 57 in March to 131 in August. 

To give developing athletes, supportive parents, and involved coaches an additional long-term resource, the club commissioned Gary Westerfield and University of Maine’s Dr. Tom Eastler to write a children’s Racewalking book that may be used in this racewalk pilot program.  Eventually, the book will have contributions by Dr Eastler, Gary Westerfield, Diane Graham Henry, Dave McGovern, Vern Muck, Jeff Salvage, Vince Peters, Chris Real, Mary Kirk Cunningham and other prominent names from the world of Racewalking.  We expect the book to be finished soon and in the hands of Bedazzled Ink Publishing Company—hopefully in time for the pilot program. 

Obviously, much remains to be done to make this pilot program a viable success.  We have invested much of our funds in this project but could use further assistance from businesses and parents. Any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated.  

 In December, Gary Westerfield has been invited to give a program update to all teachers at the Texas Teacher State Convention in Corpus. We hope that coaches will adopt Racewalking as a key fitness tool to their training programs.  We see an enormous amount of potential for South Texas youngsters to learn the long-term health benefits of Racewalking, and have fun while in physical education classes.  

A.C. Jaime

621 N. 10^th St.

McAllen, TX 78501

956-686-2337(o)  956-821-6659(c)

 800-383-5733                                                        

We will be having a Jr./Sr. Training camp in the McAllen/Pharr area from December 26th thru January 4th.  This is going to be a training camp not a "talking" camp, so if you are interested in attending, please bring your walking shoes and contact Coach Jaime.

Tentative Schedule:

Friday December 26th - Arrival

Saturday December 27th - 1 hour RACE on the track in honor of 1956 Olympian Elliott Denman

Sunday December 28th - 20-25km walk for the Sr. Athletes, 12-15km for the "kids".

Monday Dec 29th -12-15km in the morning + technique work, 8km run in the afternoon. (kids do less)

Tuesday Dec 30th - FARTLEK

Wednesday Dec 31st - 20-25km for the Sr. Athletesin the morning, 6km easy run in the afternoon?

Thursday January 1st - TBD

Friday January 2nd - 1-Mile walk for the kids to qualify for the Indoor Nationals

Saturday January 3rd - Largest Judged 5km racewalk in Texas

Sunday January 4th - 20-25km in the morning, in the afternoon Training Camp ends, travel home.

Ricardo Vergara became the only youth to ever win the High School National Scholastic Indoor One Mile Race Walk Championship in New York for three consecutive years on Sunday, March 15^th.  Three other boys had won this high school championship for two consecutive years but never for three as did the seventeen year old Edinburg High School Senior twin. 

Winning this race proved to be difficult for Ricardo.  He had just won the High School Nike Indoor One Mile National Race Walk Championship in Maryland the day before even though he complained of having difficulty breathing due to a throat infection.  That race had been won by his twin brother Roberto the previous two years but this time Roberto was the one struggling with excruciating pain to his joints which is a side effect of a prescription medication he is taking.  Being able to walk at a six and one half minute per mile pace, as previously planned, proved to be too much for Roberto as Trevor Baron, a high school sophomore from Pennsylvania, went around him half way through the race.  Trevor then went around Ricardo with two of the eight 200 meter laps remaining.  Ricardo, seeing that Roberto was unable to respond to Trevor’s move, put on his after burners and overtook Trevor at the beginning of the last lap to win that Championship in a time of 6:34 with Trevor and Roberto three and ten second behind respectively.  P-SJ-A High School freshman, Alex Chavez, finished the race in fifth place with a personal best time of 7:13 allowing the South Texas Walking Club to place three of its own on the top six All American Team for the forth consecutive year.

As it’s often said, “What goes around, comes around!”  Coach A.C. Jaime had expected Ricardo to set a new record last year at the AAU National Junior Olympic Championship in Tennessee.  However, because Ricardo was having the same problems then that Roberto was experiencing this time around, it was Roberto who stepped in and brought the existing 17-18 year age division record of 13:18 down to 13:15, hoping to once again break that record this year before graduation.

Trevor, being one of the many juniors coached by A.C. Jaime in the past, saw the condition the twins were in and planned to grab hold of the situation.  “Coach, I beat Roberto today, and tomorrow, I also intend to beat Ricardo!”, he snickered to Coach Jaime over dinner Saturday night on their way to the New York race.  He was not the only one wanting to out pace the country’s top two junior race walkers.  Eleven of the top twelve junior walkers were in attendance and anyone of them would have been capable of outpacing the twins on a bad day.

Ricardo was well aware that Trevor knew what and how Coach Jaime trains his team since he had spent two weeks living with Coach Jaime and training with the South Texas Walking Club in Texas.  Furthermore, Ricardo knew that Trevor was now being well assisted and advised by Vince Peters, the U.S.A. Track and Field National Race Walk Chairman and that he no doubt was going to be well prepared in the morning.  The Club’s Assistant Coach, Anelle Chavez, R.N., checked Ricardo once again and had him gargle with medication several times during the day and night.  Even though Ricardo never became febrile, his throat continued to worsen causing him more discomfort and difficulty with breathing.

The morning of the race, Ricardo and Roberto greeted Trevor and the rest of the contenders with the same “gusto” they’ve always had for each other.  Since the majority of the top twelve juniors in the country have trained together with A. C. Jaime, Vince Peters and the other Race Walking coaches, they all see each other as a team and travel together to these meets.  Each of them was introduced as they walked up to the starting line with Ricardo being introduced first.  The boys jockeyed for position at the start of the race with Ricardo out front surprisingly followed closely by Tyler Sorensen, of California, who along with Chavez, were two of the two youngest in the group.  Roberto was right behind Sorensen followed by Trevor who soon went around Roberto at the start of the second lap.  It soon became a four man race each within striking distance of Ricardo who intended to and was setting the pace for all to follow.

Roberto took over third place at the start of the fifth lap, but Sorensen refused to fall back and lingered but one second behind him, just as Trevor remained behind Ricardo and Roberto behind Trevor.  Sorensen began to fade a little at the beginning of the seventh lap as did Roberto at the start of the eighth lap.  Trevor stayed with Ricardo throughout the seventh and part of the last lap but did not have the stamina to keep up to Ricardo’s riveting forty-five second lap finish.  Meanwhile, Sorensen, who was three seconds behind Roberto half way through the last lap, was able to pass him during the last fifty meter stretch but was disqualified for lifting.  This allowed Roberto and Alex to finish in third and fifth place respectively once again just as they had done the previous day in Maryland.  Matthew Forgues and Tyler Campbell of Maine, finished in forth and sixth place respectively making up the All American Team.

Thirteen year old eighth grader, Diana Flores of San Juan Middle School, had a fantastic race finishing in twenty-second place in a field of forty high school girls.  She, along with seventh graders, Ariana Guzman of Sharyland, and Nicolette Sorensen of California, were the only non-high school girls to qualify for this meet.  Nicolette finished in third and forth place in Maryland and New York respectively.  She raised many an eyebrow with her style and ability.  She walked miles of 7:52 and 7:54 and will be one to contend with next year.  Ariana had an eleventh place finish in Maryland behind tenth place contender Claudia Ortiz, a freshman from Sharyland High School.

The team’s only High School All American girl, Jessica Reybal of McAllen, could not compete well after recovering from knee surgery this past December, but is expected to return within a few months.

Click the above link to see the start list for the IAAF Racewalking Challenge that both Ricardo and Roberto will be attending in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Also walking are Americans John Nunn, Philip Dunn and Susan Armenta.

Never in the one hundred year history of the Millrose Games held at the New York Madison Square Garden had two high school boys won the top two places in the one mile Racewalk until today.  The seventeen year old Edinburg High School Vergara twin brothers now hold that distinction coming home with the top two medals and a beautiful 12” high crystal cup to prove their success.

 The event usually attracts some of the top twelve Racewalkers in the country and this year was no exception. The high school senior twins were ranked forth and fifth among those registered and that’s exactly where they found themselves at the end of the first lap.   Michael Kazmierczak, a sophomore at the University Of Road Island and one of the top two college youth in the country, jumped out front at the sound of the gun and walked his first lap at an incredible five minute twenty second mile pace.  Twenty-four year old Richard Luettchau, a graduate of Stockton College in Missouri and a top contender for the Olympic trials, was right behind Michael. Kurt Clausen, our three time USA Olympian, was not about to let Michael and Richard walk away on their own and was in hot pursuit behind them as part of the lead pack.

 Ricardo and Roberto made up the second pack along with fourteen time U.S. National Champion Dave McGovern of Alabama who was right on the twins heels from the outset and had no intentions of letting them out of his sight. 

Michael maintained the lead until Richard took over at the end of the sixth lap.  Ricardo and Roberto, in the meantime, exchanged leads in the second pack as is their trademark with Roberto taking over at the end of the third lap.  Ricardo then came around Roberto at the beginning of the fifth lap and gradually overtook three times Olympian Kurt Clausen with Roberto and Dave McGovern close behind.

 Breaking up the lead pack was just the beginning for the second pack for they gradually also started to gain on Michael who had reluctantly relinquished the lead to Richard. As it turned out, Michael started to slow down a bit and all three in the second pack were able to overtake him in the seventh lap.  Now it was Richard, Ricardo, Roberto and Dave. 

Richard seemed to have an attitude of “Catch me if you can”. He had a pace that could not be overcome by anyone in the second pack; however, he had accumulated two red cards while maintaining the lead until Ricardo was finally able to go around him at the beginning of the ninth lap.  Once again Richard attempted to take the lead on the last two laps but received his third red card and thus was disqualified allowing Ricardo and Roberto to finish first and second respectively, becoming the first two high school boys to ever finish in that order at this prestigious national event. Roberto maintains that he, out of respect, allowed his older twin brother to finish in first place and win the beautiful crystal cup Ricardo bought home after finishing the race in a time of 6:29.92. Times for Roberto, Dave, Michael and Kurt were 6:37.17, 6:39.64, 6:40.15, and 6:51.95 respectively.  Other walkers and their times were Mathew Forgues 7:00.68, Julio Alva 7:27.42 and Geoff Karhoff 7:30.48. 

Who is the fastest Vergara?  The same person who is the fastest 1-mile racewalker in America.  Last night at the 101st Millrose Games in New York City at Madison Square Garden, Ricardo and brother Roberto put on a show.  Ricardo walked 6:29, to take the Cup home, while Roberto out sprinted Dave McGovern to place 2nd in a time of 6:37.  Dave McGovern placed 3rd in a time of 6:39.  Make Kazmierczac was 4th in a time of 6:40.  3x Olympian Curt Clausen, recoverying from the flu was 5th in a time of 6:51.

 This was only the 2nd time in the 101 year history that a high schooler won the 1-mile walk.  The first time was by Zac Pollinger in 2003 when he won in 6:41.