MONT BELVIEU — Nederland track coach Chris Theriot was hoping three of his pole vaulters would get past the area meet, but he had to settle for two.

Alec Torres and Colton Beason made it out of the Districts 21-22 5A area meet Friday and advanced to next week’s 5A Region III meet. The regional meet is scheduled for next weekend at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

Torres and Beason placed third and fourth Friday and two jumpers from Barbers Hill, including Josh Cofresi, took first and second.

The Bulldogs duo cleared leaps of 12 feet, 6 inches, and could not get over the bar in three jumps at 13 feet.

“Our guys competed hard today,” Theriot said. “The Barbers Hill kids did real well today. We would have liked to have got three at regionals, but we are fortunate to get the two.”

Nederland’s Kevon Latulas went out at 12 feet and finished in fifth.

“I tied my personal record today so that is good,” Beason said of his performance on Friday. “I didn’t start out so well today but I was proud of myself I dug it out and take third or fourth.”

The best thing about the Bulldogs trio for Theriot is the fact all three are sophomores.

Torres won the District 22-5A meet last week with a jump of 12-6. Beason also jumped 12-6 and was given second because of the number of attempts he needed and Latulas was third last week at 12 feet.

“That is a great thing for us,” Theriot said. “The best thing about those three kids is they push each other. They want the best for each other even in practice. It is good Torres and Beason will have each other to lean on next week in Huntsville.”

The pole vault duo will have more Nederland company at SHSU. High jumper Mitchell Simmons finished fourth with a leap of 6-2.

Senior discus thrower Justin Carr made it to regionals with a toss of over 144 feet.

Port Neches-Groves had its 4×200 relay team advance to regionals. The Indians finished fourth.

PN-G Lady Indians freshman Jacie Droddy is headed to regionals in two events, despite a painful groin injury.

Droddy shrugged off the injury in the 200 and broke her own school record with a 25.03-second run. Droddy had already broken the record earlier this year with a run of 25.73.

Droddy finished third in the long jump earlier Friday.