MONT BELVIEU — Two of Memorial’s young guns, sophomore Tre’Vonte Caines and freshman Kristopher Ross, have been the guys to beat in the shot put this season.

It was only fitting the two would take the top two spots in the District 21-5A event. While Ross’ 53 feet, 2 inches, from an earlier meet is still best in the Golden Triangle, Wednesday was Caines’ day to repeat as district champion.

He doesn’t mind any competition Ross gives him.

“It’s helped me a lot, pushing me more and more each week to get better,” Caines said.

.@caines_trevonte and Landin Jackson of @thatPAspeed won shot put and long jump titles Wednesday in the 21-5A meet. pic.twitter.com/erQahIUhPD

— I.C. Murrell (@ICMurrellPB) April 11, 2019

Caines threw 50 feet, 6.5 inches, on a windy day at Barbers Hill’s Eagle Stadium, beating Ross’ 48-10. Caines, the 2018 22-5A champion, was among four Memorial athletes to win field events on the first of the two-day meet.

Alex Ned won the triple jump at 43-10.25, Landin Jackson took the long jump at 21-9, beating teammate James Ward by 4 inches, and Maya Flax won the girls shot put at 36-0.75.

Alex Ned of @thatPAspeed won the triple jump in the 21-5A meet. pic.twitter.com/Ty9Q0xPk7k

— I.C. Murrell (@ICMurrellPB) April 10, 2019

“At first, I was a little hectic about it,” Flax said. “At first, I threw a 33. Then I was with coach [Kevin] Henry. He looked at me, and I knew I had to get out there and do better. So, I threw a 36, and that made me feel way better about myself. So, I’ve gotta keep going and keep pushing.”

Caines’ formula for winning another district gold medal was simple.

“Lot of practice, hard work, staying humble and doing what your coach told you from day one,” Caines said.

Maya Flax of @thatPAspeed won the girls shot put in the 21-5A meet Wednesday pic.twitter.com/HOmN8V0BE8

— I.C. Murrell (@ICMurrellPB) April 10, 2019

A pair of Mid-County athletes also won Wednesday. Port Neches-Groves senior Jacie Droddy, as expected, took care of business in the long jump, but the Texas A&M signee was hoping for better than a winning 17-7.25.

“I can only go up from here, but I still have a lot of work to do,” said Droddy, who set a personal best 19-3.25 last year in 22-5A. “I haven’t been getting height on my jumps, so that’s probably a big thing, and then probably not putting so much pressure on myself, so I need to work on not doing that.”

Destinie Jeane of Nederland took second at 16-1.5.

https://www.facebook.com/portarthurnewssports/videos/641387849620180/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARAIqIfm89R2daBZInsTGTlpUEVTAoz88_rIhLY2qyhyDToakOzrZGgp5gAVxAE7TvNzdzuaKq4_VTXY

Nederland junior Morgan Luke returned to the top of the district stand in the pole vault. The 2017 22-5A champion, who was third last year, won a fierce battle with Vidor’s Chriseline Quirante, as both cleared 9-6 with one miss each, but Luke had no misses at 9-0 (Quirante missed once).

“There was a lot of pressure,” Luke said. “I just had to keep my head right and focus not on what [Quirante was] doing but on myself.”

She also drew lessons from a pair of recent pole vault standouts at Nederland, 2018 seniors Kevon Latulas and Alec Torres.

“I just watched them and try to mimic what they do, hopefully to get as high as them and just try my best,” Luke said.

Bulldogs freshman Ke’Asia Hall was victorious in the triple jump at 36-1, beating PNG’s Sanaria Butler by 2 inches. Kayla Bayardo of Nederland was third.

Jackson, a junior, said dominating the field events was key for Memorial, last year’s 22-5A team champion. Host Barbers Hill won the 21-5A title last year.

“I really think it’s very great because we came here and did what we had to do, focused and took our time,” Jackson said. “We came out victorious for right now.”

Ned made a triple jump that was more than 1.5 feet better than second-place Joshua Wright of Vidor. He said getting his second phase of the jump was key in improving from a third-place result in districts last year.

“… Really helping my second phase, get out further and get in the pit more,” Ned said. “With the triple jump, you have to use more energy. You have to get in the pit further. It’s a whole 20 inches more.”

Running preliminaries were held later Wednesday in all events except the 3,200-meter run, which was a final. The other finals will be held Thursday starting at 6 p.m. with the girls 400-meter dash and is expected to conclude by 8:30 p.m.

•

I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews