For the first time since 2010, the Fort Stockton boys track team are district champions.

The Panthers derailed Andrews’ 11-year district reign by overcoming a 23-point deficit to the Mustangs to capture the District 2-4A team title. Fort Stockton won the two-day event by one point on April 14.

The Panthers claimed six gold medals, three silver medals, and seven bronze medals in route to a title. In total, 11 Fort Stockton athletes advanced to regionals in the boys division.

The Panthers dynamic junior duo – Fabian Perez and Zane Hodges – earned a combined five individual gold medals – and all of Fort Stockton’s relay teams placed in the top two in Saturday’s running event finals.

Perez swept the long-distance events (3,200-meter run, 1,600, 800) to come away from the meet as the Panthers’ top performer. The upperclassman clocked a personal-best time in the 800 (2 minutes 2.45 seconds). Perez’s mile time was 4:42.60 and two-mile time was 10:34.54.

Hodges took first in the triple jump and set a personal record in the 300 hurdles (39.69) on his way to first-place finish. The three-sport athlete also qualified for the area meet in the 110 hurdles via a third-place finish in a personal-best time of 15.29.

Fort Stockton’s 400 relay and 800 relay, which consists of the same group of athletes, placed first and second respectively. Miguel Trejo, Aryan Hernandez, Caleb Garcia, and Marco Garcia are featured with each relay squad.

The Panthers’ 1,600 relay team added a runner-up finish. Aryan Hernandez, Caleb Garcia, Marco Garcia, and Jesus Hernandez make up the unit.

Caleb Garcia was the lone individual silver medalist, doing so in the triple jump with a leap of 42 feet.

Juan Vela and Elijah Escajeda will compete at the area meet next week in two events apiece. Vela earned bronze medals in the 3,200 and 1,600. Escajeda captured bronze medals in the shot put and discus.

Jesus Hernandez finished in third place in both the 800 (2:03.42) and the 400 (51.75). He’ll compete in three events at regionals, including the 1,600 relay.

Connor Miller and Cruz Rojas rounded out Fort Stockton area qualifiers as each will compete at least one more week after placing in fourth in the pole vault and shot put respectively. Miller cleared 12 feet in the pole vault to place fourth and Rojas threw the shot put 43 feet ½ inch to advance to the area competition.

Aryan Hernandez placed fourth in the triple jump (41-2) and will compete in three events at the area meet. Trejo will also compete in three events next week after placing fourth in the 200 (23.14).

Fort Stockton will compete in their respective area meet in Andrews on Thursday, April 21.