Runge’s Ninfa Rios had the biggest smile in Texas on her face when she crossed the finish line winning the gold medal in the 300-Meter Hurdles at the state track meet in Austin Saturday.

But just a short while earlier that day, she wasn’t smiling at all.

During her last run-through while warming up getting ready for her event, she stepped in a hole in the turf injuring her ankle with a "pop" that was so loud, her coach heard it across the field.

"I thought it was over," Rios said.

In 1988, a young Karnes City High School student sprinted all the way to the state track and field championships, where she medaled in two events, and returned two more years after.

Seventeen years later, another track athlete found herself at the state meet, out-jumping her competitors by almost a foot to win the 2A Triple Jump gold medal.

Coincidence? Probably not, seeing as how they are mother and daughter.

"My experience as a state qualifier was wonderful, and after I had that, I really just wanted my kids to be able to experience it too," said Tonja Kinney, mother of recent triple jump gold medalist Brittany Kinney. Brittany won the 2A triple jump title, beating out her closest competitor by almost a foot.

Several local city and school board elections were decided by early voters and those who cast ballots on May 10.

The election results are final but unofficial until canvassed by the local entities.

Incumbent Kenedy Mayor Randy Garza easily defeated challenger Joseph Lang 564-64.

Incumbent Kenedy ISD Place 2 Trustee Tony Mejia defeated challenger Rosemary Vickery 101-77.

Incumbent Kenedy ISD Place 3 Trustee and School Board President Frank Nieto was defeated in a landslide by write-in candidate Alma Danmier 115-26.

Nieto won a position on the school board with 59 votes in May 2005 after Trustee Richard McLeon chose not to file for re-election.

Nieto beat Tommy Vickery and Estella P. Gonzales who had 19 and 11 votes respectively in the 2005 contest.

In its ninth year, walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Karnes County.

Teams of residents from Kenedy, Karnes City, Falls City and Runge will gather at the Kenedy High School Stadium on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. for an overnight relay against cancer.

Relay For Life, the Society’s signature event, is a life-changing experience that helps us celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and to fight back against a disease that takes too much. This unforgettable event raises awareness and funds to save lives, help those touched by cancer, and empower people to fight back against this disease.

This family-oriented team event features participants as they walk relay-style around the track and take part in fun activities off the track. Teams can include coworkers, club members, family and friends who have gathered donations prior to the event. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Kenedy is the Diamond Sponsor. Dr. Joel and Liz Saldana are sponsors for the Survivors Ceremony and Lap, and the Schuenemann Office is sponsor of the Luminaria Ceremony.