Cristina Garcia breaks 29-year-old city record, commits to Auburn

Alexander senior standout track and field athlete to join SEC powerhouse program

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:40pm

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Cristina Garcia, a standout senior at Alexander High School in Laredo, Texas, has made a verbal commitment to join the track and field program at Auburn University. Garcia recently broke a 29-year-old city record in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 42.90 seconds at the Texas Relays, surpassing the previous record set in 1997. She also holds Laredo records in the 100-meter hurdles and triple jump.

Why it matters

Garcia's record-breaking performance and commitment to Auburn showcase the exceptional talent and potential of Laredo's high school athletes. Her success will inspire other young athletes in the community and bring recognition to the city's track and field program.

The details

At the Texas Relays in Austin, Garcia posted a time of 42.90 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles, placing seventh overall. This time not only set a new personal best and program record for Alexander, but it also broke the longstanding Laredo record of 43.05 seconds set in 1997 by Cigarroa's Angeles Pantoja. Earlier this year, the UISD record in the event had been broken twice, first by United's Amiyah Villasenor with a time of 43.20 seconds, before Garcia won the city title in 43.123 seconds in a photo finish against Villasenor.

  • At the Texas Relays on April 3, 2026, Garcia posted a time of 42.90 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles.
  • The previous Laredo record of 43.05 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles was set in 1997 by Cigarroa's Angeles Pantoja.
  • Earlier this year, the UISD record in the 300-meter hurdles was broken twice, first by United's Amiyah Villasenor with a time of 43.20 seconds, before Garcia won the city title in 43.123 seconds.

The players

Cristina Garcia

A standout senior track and field athlete at Alexander High School in Laredo, Texas, who recently broke a 29-year-old city record in the 300-meter hurdles and committed to join the track and field program at Auburn University.

Angeles Pantoja

A former track and field athlete from Cigarroa High School in Laredo, Texas, who held the previous Laredo record of 43.05 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles since 1997.

Amiyah Villasenor

A track and field athlete from United High School in Laredo, Texas, who broke the UISD record in the 300-meter hurdles earlier this year with a time of 43.20 seconds.

Leroy Burrell

The head coach of the Auburn University track and field program, who has been with the Tigers since 2022 and previously coached at the University of Houston, where he led the school to 41 conference championships and coached over 150 All-Americans.

Lacena Golding-Clarke

The assistant coach at Auburn University who coaches the women's sprints and hurdles. She has been an assistant at Auburn since 2022 and previously was an assistant at UTEP for 10 years, where she coached 13 All-Americans. Golding-Clarke is a former six-time All-American who competed for Jamaica at the Olympics in 1996, 2000, and 2004.

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What they’re saying

“Arguably Laredo's greatest track and field athlete is headed to the Southeastern Conference.”

— Billy Woods, Author

What’s next

Garcia still has her senior postseason ahead of her, and Auburn is getting one of Laredo's most decorated track and field athletes. She will likely work closely with assistant coach Lacena Golding-Clarke, who has a strong track record of coaching sprinters and hurdlers.

The takeaway

Cristina Garcia's record-breaking performance and commitment to Auburn University showcase the exceptional talent and potential of Laredo's high school athletes. Her success will inspire other young athletes in the community and bring recognition to the city's track and field program, which has produced a standout athlete like Garcia.