For most, advancing to Regionals for a track event is a once in a lifetime event. For Junior Trey Guillory, he has grown accustomed to it, having gone both last year and this year. Something he isn’t used to is the experience of competing in the State competition.

On May 13, Guillory and other local athletes will represent Southeast Texas at University of Texas in Austin at the State track meet. Guillory will participate in the triple jump competition.

“Going to Regionals again and State for the first time is the best thing that’s happened this year,” Guillory said. “I had a rocky start this season. In the beginning I was coming in fifth and sixth place, but when District hit, I started to get it together, and I came in second at Regionals.”

Guillory has been running track for six years, and has enjoyed most every minute of it. In practice, he trains hard and continues pushing through even after he’s worn out. Not only did he participate in triple jump, but he also ran the 4×1, 4×2, 4×4, and the 100 and 200-meter dash.

“When I got to the Regional meet, it was really quiet because everyone was very focused,” Guillory said. “But since I went last year, I knew what to expect and wasn’t really nervous.”

Guillory and the athlete that placed first in triple jump were about two feet in front of their competition, so nit was clear from the start that they would place.

“When I realized that I was going to State, a big smile came across my face and I just looked up and pointed at my mama and my brother,” Guillory said. “They were smiling, too, and really proud. They didn’t know what to expect coming in, so I just had to show them what I had.”

Guillory said his biggest inspirations are his brother and dad because they have always believed in him. He plans on going to State again next year and winning the meet – hopefully even getting a track scholarship. From now until May 13, he will be preparing for State every day by practicing – but said he is already mentally prepared.