Schools from the Brazos Valley will send more than 20 girls to the UIL state track and field meet in Austin next week, including 14 individual entries and a couple of relay teams.

Several area athletes just missed trips to the state meet when they finished third at regionals, where the top two finishers advance. Those girls can take heart in the story of Anderson-Shiro junior Tremisha Henderson, the history-making sprinter and hurdler for the Lady Owls.

Henderson punched her ticket to Austin by finishing second in the 100-meter dash and the 300 hurdles at the Class A Region IV meet in Huntsville last week.

Henderson and high jumper Cody Aikin will be the first Anderson-Shiro athletes to compete in the state track meet. Last year, Henderson came painfully close to ending that state drought. She finished third in the 100 and in the 300 hurdles, with officials needing photographs of the finish to determine that Henderson's season was over and someone else was moving on.

"I think that's what's driven her this whole season, knowing that she was so close last year," Owls coach Christy Nienstedt said. "A determination came over her."

Henderson, a junior, had been undefeated before the regional meet. She posted a time of 12.88 seconds in the 100 meters and ran the 300 hurdles in a season-best 47.4.

Wood's tough enough: The 800 meters was supposed to be the best event for A&M Consolidated's Keri Wood, who also ran the 1,600 at last weekend's Class 5A Region II meet in Waco.

That very difficult double became a bigger test after Wood finishing a surprising third in the 800. Wood had a couple of hours to gather her strength and her wits. She had ice massages on her legs and spent much of the time between races stretching.

"She was cornered," Consol girls coach Rodney Wellmann said. "She had to come out fighting, or her season was over."

Wood finished second in the 1,600 with a gutsy time of 5:03.53. Eventual winner Sarah Andrews and Wood made a little break on the third lap, giving Wood a lead of about 15 meters on Nevana Pilpovic-Wengler of The Woodlands.

Wengler was running in her only race of the weekend and worried Wellmann. She closed the gap but never caught Wood, finishing in 5:04.83.

"The 800 takes a lot out of you," Wellmann said. "Keri learned a lot about herself and how much courage she has. Keri was hurting the whole way in the 1,600. You could tell that she was just holding on for dear life, but somehow, some way, she persevered."

Heading for state: Brazos Valley schools will have girls in every division of the UIL state meet to be held May 9-10 at Myers Stadium.

In Class 5A, Wood will be joined at state by teammate Whitney Harris, who won the 400 at regionals, and by Bryan's Pashe Moore, who was second in the 100 hurdles.

Brenham will send three girls to Austin in 4A. Seniors Chantel Bratton (shot put) and Lindsey Lechler (pole vault) won regional titles to earn return trips to state. Junior Haley Peddy won the 3,200 meters with a time of 11:27.39 to earn her first trip to Austin.

The area's largest contingent to state will be in Class 3A, with three individual entrants and a couple of relay units. Rockdale's Krysten Brooks won the 100-meter dash with a time of 14.87. Cameron qualified two girls, with Brook Brashear taking second in the 300 hurdles and Brenda Pena finishing second in the 1,600.

Navasota won the 800 relay, as Hershambria Moore, Vanesha Wilcox, Kayla Garcia and Jaquita James ran a time of 1:42.50.

The Caldwell girls claimed the Region III championship in the 1,600 relay. That unit, which included April Howell, Brianna Haynes, Vantazia Jackson and Elliot Laferiere, finished in 3:59.12.

Lexington leads the 2A teams with three representatives. Sophomore sprinter Elydia Farwell won the 100 meters (12.27) and the 200 meters (25.38). Amanda Dowdy took first in the high jump (5-9) and Raven Cooper was second in the 100 hurdles.

Hearne's Cyleshia Benson also qualified by finishing second behind Farwell in the 200.

Local athletes headed to TAPPS meet: Several girls from local schools qualified for the private school state meet on Friday and Saturday. For St. Joseph, Zadous Pollard (200) and Ambria Brand (400) won individual events at district and advanced on the 400 relay along with Kayla Taylor and Jeanee Thompson. The Lady Eagles will send Maria Morrell in the 1,600.

Brazos Christian will send six girls in TAPPS Class A, led by versatile Lauren Paine. She will compete in the triple jump, 100, 400 and the 400 relay. That makes seven state events for Paine, who ran in the 400 relay, 800 relay and 200 last year.

Also going to state for BC will be Nellie Hillner in the 1,600 and 3,200, plus Elizabeth Pierce in the 100 hurdles. The Lady Eagles' 400 relay also includes Michelle McClellan and Devin Anne Trotter. The 1,600 relay consists of Pierce, McClellan, Hannah Garza and Trotter.

• Larry Bowen covers girls track in the Brazos Valley. If you have something of interest to report, e-mail him at larry.bowen@theeagle.com.