Bishop was more than used to making the climb to the top of the podium.
The sophomore won five gold medals and helped lead the Lady Comanches to a run away Region IV-2A team championship on a sunny Saturday at Javelina Stadium.
Shiner scored 146 points to nearly triple San Saba, which was second with 52. Refugio was fourth with 44 points.
"I was kind of surprised, but I'm really blessed," Bishop said. "It's a lot of hard work. It's hot today, but we pulled it off."
Bishop won the long jump, triple jump and ran a leg on the triumphant 400- and 800-meter relays, before concluding her day by winning the 200-meter dash.
"Last year, she came in five events," Shiner coach Cece Oden said of Bishop. "She was young and a little nervous and she knew she was going to use that to persevere this year."
Bishop like many of her teammates also plays softball and must divide her time between sports.
"I don't really get to work much on track because of softball," Bishop said. "But I manage to come after practice. Late nights - that's all I've got to say."
Shiner also earned gold medals from Rashel Bonds in the 100-meter dash and Maggie Grosenbacher in the 3,200-meter run.
The 1,600-meter relay team finished second along with Grosenbacher in the 800, Mackinly Pilat in the 300-meter hurdles, Sabrina Blaschke in the long jump, and Kori Landman in the discus.
"They set some goals for themselves," Oden said. "They knew that those would help toward the team championship and pulling everybody's weight, working hard and supporting each other."
Shiner used the concept to capture its first team title this decade.
"That was our goal all season," Oden said. "We had 10 to 12 girls running on varsity and where they all contribute. I told them we had to focus on where their strengths were and what we can do for each other. We started winning some meets and our focus was district, area, regional and put it together."
Bishop would like to continue the approach at the state meet, which is scheduled for May 14-16 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.
"Winning a regional title was a goal in the beginning," she said. "Every year we come so close and this year we knew we had a lot coming in. If we really push, we could get a state title. We're excited."
Kameron Smith had never been to the state meet.
But the Ganado senior will be going this year in three events.
Smith won the 110-meter hurdles, finished second in the high jump, and ran a leg on the 400-meter relay that finished second at the Region IV-2A meet.
"It's definitely been a great day," Smith said. "We've been working hard for this and we've blessed by God to perform this well today and make it this far."
Clearing the bar
Cuero's Kouri Walker met one of his goals by high jumping 6 feet, 8 inches earlier this season.
He achieved another by winning the Region IV-4A high jump competition with a leap of 6-6.
"I've done more technique drills like arching my back and getting my timing down on my kick and more work on my approach," Walker said. "I have my senior plan of jumping 7 feet and taking our school record."
Defending her title
Yoakum's Celine Markert is headed to the state meet in the discus for the third straight year.
The senior won the Region IV-4A discus title with a throw of 147 feet, 10 inches.
Markert was disappointed she didn't set a regional record, but thankful to have another shot at a state record.
"It was a rough day, but I'm on to state and that's all that matters," Markert said. "I wish I could have thrown farther and possibly broken the regional record. It didn't happen so I'm on to next week."
Hard to watch
Bay City girls coach Yvette Segura sat in the stands at Javelina Stadium watching the final event of the Region IV-4A meet.
The Ladycats were leading the meet with 54 points going into the 1,600-meter relay.
But Bay City's title hopes disappeared when Liberty Hill won the relay. The 20 points gave Liberty Hill, which had 35 points, a total of 55 points and the championship.
Mike Forman is a sports writer for The Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-580-6588, or by e-mail at mforman@vicad.com.