Buena Vista returning state track and field medalists Mariana Sanchez and Cole Brauchi will have an opportunity to put an exclamation point on the end of their high school careers as Longhorns in Class 1A at the UIL State Track & Field Championships on May 14.

Sanchez won a gold medal in the 3,200-meter run at the 1A Region II meet in San Angelo at LeGrand Stadium on April 30. The senior won the race by 28 seconds, crossing the finish line in 12 minutes 39.62 seconds. Sanchez placed third in the event at state a season ago and will enter the race at state with the third-fastest time recorded at regionals in Class 1A.

Gaby Sanchez punched her ticket to the state meet in 3,200 with a runner-up finish at regionals. The freshman will get run alongside her sister, Mariana, for the final time at the high school level next week.

Mariana earned an additional state bid in the 1,600 by placing second in the race. The senior recorded her fastest mile time of the season (5:43.87) and was 1.26 seconds behind the race’s champion, Lilly Benson of Roby.

Mariana placed fifth at state in the mile race a season ago and she enters the state meet with the sixth-fastest time at regionals in Class 1A.

Cole Brauchi will look to claim his second state medal in the shot put after earning a state qualification with a runner-up finish at regionals. Brauchi placed second via a throw of 46 feet 4 ¾ inches.

The senior has the sixth-best qualification distance heading into next week’s state meet. Brauchi took sixth place at state a season ago.

Class 1A state field events and the 3,200-meter run will begin at 9 a.m on Saturday, May 14. Running events will begin at 5 p.m.