Day One of the UIL Region II Track Meet is underway here in Waco at Baylor University. The two day meet has a split format with half the field events going off this morning and the prelims of the running events beginning this evening at 6:00 p.m.

The only exception to all the prelims is the 3200M run, which is a final and will have two 'Cats running in the event - senior Nathan Hogg and junior Meron Fessahaie.

Region II is widely regarded as the toughest region in the state and possibly the entire country. Most of the events over the next two days will feature athletes who have registered top times in the state in their respective events.

Region II also boasts the #1 team in the country in Killeen Ellison. They have several of the top sprinters in the state, including senior Prezel Harvey who clocked a 10.08 in the 100M earlier this year. The 'Cats clearly have their work cut out for them.

Three Wildcats competed in separate field events this morning.

The highlight of the morning events was senior James Bearden, who matched his personal best with a leap of 6'-6'' which was good for a bronze medal.

Bearden just missed out being a state qualifier after nearly clearing 6'-8'' which would have earned him 2nd place. Bearden will compete in the 100M dash later this evening, and if he runs another 10.48 like he did last week in Frisco, he'll have a legitimate shot at qualifying for the state meet.

Junior Zack Knickman and senior Kosi Ekwu both competed in the Shot Put, but unfortunately neither made the finals.

Congrats to James on his bronze medal and good luck to the rest of the 'Cats in the running prelims tonight!

We'll have another update after the last running events are complete - around 10:00 p.m.

Shout out from Waco - GO 'CATS!