Bonnie Richardson of tiny Rochelle HS literally did it all at the Texas state track championships at Mike Myers Stadium at UT. Literally.
When the team trophies were handed out on Saturday, Richardson accepted the 1A team championship on behalf of Rochelle High School -- all by her lonesome.
She was the only Rochelle athlete to qualify for the state meet and in an unbelievable turn, won the team title all by herself. University Interscholastic League officials said it was the first time a single athlete won a girls' team title.
"This totally blows me away," the freckle-faced Richardson said while holding the trophy with a gold medal draped on her neck. "This is amazing. I had no idea it was even possible."
Richardson's drive to the state title began on Friday with field events and she won the high jump (5-5), placed second in the long jump (18-7) and third in the discus (121-0).
On Saturday, she won the 200 meters in 25.03 seconds and nearly pulled off a huge upset in the 100 before finishing second (12.19) to defending champion Kendra Coleman of Santa Anna.
Richardson, only a junior, earned a total of 42 points for her team to edge out Chilton (36). UIL rules limit individual athletes to only five events or Richardson might have won more.
Rochelle is about 85 miles east of San Angelo, and Richardson's high school doesn't even have a track so she usually is driven 10 miles to where there is one.
When she's not running track, Richardson also plays tennis and led her basketball team to the state semifinals last season.
"I'd play football if my parents would let me," she said. "Not quarterback. Defense."







