Brownsville St. Joseph’s Richer, Wood claim state titles at TAPPS meet

Brownsville St. Joseph’s Nicole Richer and Olivia Wood have made the podium at state their home the past few years.

Since their freshman year in 2023, the Bloodhounds duo has medaled at the TAPPS state meet a combined four times.

This year was no different, with Richer and Wood taking home gold in the pole vault and discus, respectively, during Day 2 of the TAPPS state track and field championships at Panther Stadium in Hewitt.

The title marked the second straight title for Richer in the 5A girls pole vault, while Wood’s state gold was the first of her career.

Left to right, Brownsville St. Joseph’s Nicole Richer and Olivia Wood pose with their 2025 TAPPS state gold medals. (Courtesy Photo | Bloodhound Athletics)

“It means a lot to win two championships in a row,” Richer said. “To be up against the same girls and prove that I’m still the No. 1 out there and No. 1 in (TAPPS) 5A, it feels good. Today was good. It wasn’t where I wanted it to be, but I know next year I can hit that and be even better.”

“Flashback to two years ago I was a freshman throwing almost 30 feet below what I have now,” Wood said. “It was really fun to do this process. It’s a lot of fun to work, especially in this sport. Just to see all my hard work come out in a good way, it is really nice.”

Richer waited for the bar to be adjusted seven times before finally getting her chance in the pole vault, with the bar starting well below her average this year.

Once the bar hit 10 feet, however, the defending state champ came out firing, clearing the mark on her first attempt to secure a podium finish.

Richer brought home the gold at the next height, clearing the 10 feet, 6 inch mark on her second attempt to sit alone at the top. No other athlete cleared the mark.

The junior vaulter ended her day by making at attempt at a personal best height of 12-0, but ultimately fell short, finishing with a mark of 10-6.

Brownsville St. Joseph’s Nicole Richer competes in the 5A girls pole vault during Day 2 of the TAPPS state track and field championships at Panther Stadium in Hewitt. (Courtesy Photo | Bloodhound Athletics)

“The competition was about the same as it was in regionals,” Richer said. “The highest mark from the North region wouldn’t have even qualified in our region. It was pretty much me going against the same three or four girls. They put up a fight, but I put in a bigger one. I’ll definitely be training at different universities. I have a camp scheduled at Duke and Harvard. I’m just going to try my best to improve my PR and go up higher.”

In the discus, Wood found herself sitting in third after two throws, recording a then-best mark of 108-2 on her first attempt.

The two-time state champion threw herself into the gold medal spot on her third attempt, however, recording a mark of 132-11. Nobody came near Wood again, with the junior thrower hanging on for the first gold medal of her career.

Wood finished third and second in the same event as a freshman and sophomore, respectively, with her teammate and current Stephen F. Austin thrower winning the gold during both those years.

Brownsville St. Joseph’s Olivia Wood competes in the 5A discus during Day 2 of the TAPPS state track and field championships at Panther Stadium in Hewitt. (Courtesy Photo | Bloodhound Athletics)

“Today was really interesting because I am used to throwing in the morning,” Wood said. “The weather was really good. I got a good mark. That is all I could ask for. … Alondra (Loya) was a three-time state champion. Now me. It just really shows me that we not only have great athletes but great coaches and a great program here at St. Joes. I’m just really appreciative of that.”

While Richer and Wood made their returns to the podium, SJA junior Reid Starkey made his state debut for the Bloodhounds, competing in the TAPPS 5A boys discus.

The third-year letter winner made the most of his first state appearance, capturing the bronze with a throw of 145-1. Midland Christian’s Rowdy Pearce won the gold with a throw of 171-1, with The Woodlands Christian’s William Cook coming in second (162-0).

Brownsville St. Joseph’s Reid Starkey poses with their 2025 TAPPS state bronze medals. (Courtesy Photo | Bloodhound Athletics)

SJA senior and UTEP football signee Diego De La Cruz rounded out the Bloodhounds’ field event competitors, coming in seventh during the TAPPS 5A boys shot put.

The TAPPS state track and field championships are set to conclude tomorrow with the running finals. The Bloodhounds will look to add more medals to their 2025 season, with the girls 4×200 and 4×400 relays set to compete.

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