Skip To Main Content

Few in Number, Mighty in Spirit: Titan Boys Finish Second at Regionals and State

Team photo
After a dramatic runner-up finish at regionals, Titan Academy’s varsity boys track team capped off the season with a second-place finish at the TCSAAL State Meet, earning seven medals and nearly clinching the championship in a contest that once again came down to the final event.

“We have been running and working since December of 2024 preparing for this season,” said Head Coach Nate Penland. “Coach Jolly and I are proud of what these athletes accomplished this year. We coached them, but they went out and put in the work that it would take to be successful.”

State Champions:

Two Titan seniors earned state titles in individual events.
  • Micah Ekpo became a three-time state champion, taking gold in the 100 meter, 400 meter, and long jump.
  • Layton Ybarra earned gold in the 800 meter, securing a state title to cap his senior season.

State Runners-Up:

Three Titans also brought home silver medals.

  • Josh Shephard (Sophomore): 2nd Place in Discus — the only underclassman among the top competitors.
  • Layton Ybarra (Senior): 2nd Place in the 1600 meter (mile).
  • James Romo (Senior): 2nd Place in the 3200 meter.

Additional state meet placements included:

  • Leo Avila (Junior): 6th Place in 800 meter, narrowly missing a bronze medal by just 7 seconds.
  • Judah Smith (Junior): 8th Place in 3200 meter.
  • Morgan Pena (Senior): 8th in Discuss
  • Judah Welty (Junior): 17th Place in 400 meter.

“Due to another heroic turnout from our top athletes, we gained enough points to finish second again at State by only a few points,” Penland said. “And again, it came down to the very last event in the 4x400.”

The strong finish mirrored the regional meet, where Titan Academy also placed second behind a larger team, with standout individual performances qualifying several athletes for state:
 

 
Regional Results Recap:

Discus
  • Josh Shephard (Sophomore): 2nd Place – 112 feet
  • Morgan Pena (Senior): 3rd Place – 109 feet, 6 inches
Long Jump
  • Micah Ekpo (Senior): 1st Place – 22 feet, 1 inch
3200 Meter
  • James Romo (Senior): 1st Place – 10:11.20
  • Judah Smith (Junior): 3rd Place – 10:41.90
1600 Meter
  • Layton Ybarra (Senior): 1st Place – 4:29.55
800 Meter
  • Layton Ybarra (Senior): 1st Place – 2:01.27
  • Leo Avila (Junior): 3rd Place – 2:08.29
100 Meter
  • Micah Ekpo (Senior): 1st Place – 11.50
Girls 400 Meter
  • Jaliya Singer (8th Grade): 3rd Place – 1:04.24
Boys 400 Meter
  • Micah Ekpo (Senior): 1st Place – 50.37
  • Judah Welty (Junior): 6th Place – 54.99
Throwing Coach Justin Jolly celebrated the historic success of his athletes.

“If I am not mistaken, this is the first time in the school’s history that we have sent throwers to state, and we are sending two,” Jolly said. “I am so proud of all our Titan Academy athletes for their hard work this spring.”

Jolly attributed the success to both a renewed training structure and a foundation built early in athletes’ careers. “Building this foundation at an early age is what helped build athletes that will go to state in high school,” he said.

With the season now complete, several seniors are preparing for collegiate careers. Layton Ybarra has committed to run for Dallas Baptist University, while James Romo will compete for Central Missouri University as he works toward earning his commercial pilot’s license.

“We are honored to have coached these seniors all the way to the end of their high school journey,” Penland said. “They have left a legacy for the next generation of Titan athletes.”