SAN ANTONIO — There were some incredible performances at this year’s high school state track meet, but few compare to what Taylor Nunez did. The freshman from Randolph High School outside of San Antonio captured four gold medals.

What You Need To Know

  • Nunez is a freshman in high school

  • She won 4 gold medals at the state track meet

  • Set the 3A state record in the 100m dash

  • Mother, Tameka, was an all-American track star at UTSA

“I think it’s a great accomplishment, I’ve put in so much hard work,” says Nunez. “It was kind of hard physically but mentally as well, because I just wanted to make everybody proud.”

Nunez was able to win the long jump competition for her first medal at the meet. Then she took to the track and helped the Randolph team win the 4x100 meter relay. Next, she set a state 3A record with a time of 11.59 seconds, winning the 100-meter dash. Nunez capped off her record-setting performance by winning the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.06 seconds. The Randolph girls team also won the 3A state title.

“I’ve had some very hard workouts that I have not wanted to do but they’ve helped,” says Nunez. “Every day that I have a workout I just pray for that and say, 'You know what, I have to push through this to get those four golds.'"

While Nunez shined on the biggest stage this year, she swears her success on the track hasn’t always been like this.

“Through the years it hasn’t always been me at the top,” says Nunez. “I’ve had to work my way up and trust the process.”

Part of her process has been learning from her coach and mother Tameka Nunez, who happens to be a former track star at UTSA. Formerly Tameka Roberts, Taylor’s mother was an all-American in college and competed at the 1996 Olympic trials. 

“It’s meant a lot to me, she’s my number one supporter,” says Nunez. “She’s there for me whether it’s track or it’s at home, it doesn’t matter. She’s the one that really pushes me to do my best.”

Nunez says she hopes to break some of her mom’s records and win more golds as she comes back to the state track meet in the next few years. And she has even more talent in her family with brother Austin, who was one of the top high school basketball players in San Antonio this past season. He will play in college at Arizona State.