NAVASOTA -- Mike Jones' great start in the 200 meters surprised his coach, which is understandable because the Rudder junior was running just his second track meet of the season.

On the other hand, Jones had an eight-month warm-up.

A late addition to the Rangers track and field team after playing football and basketball, Jones won the Rudder boys first district championship and qualified for regionals in two events with a big night at the District 24-3A meet Thursday at Rattler Stadium.

Jones earned his second consecutive 100 berth in the Class 3A Region III meet when he finished third in that event early in the running finals. He returned to the track to win the 200 with a personal-best time of 22.55 seconds.

"It feels good," Jones said. "I'm happy and ready for regionals. I had not thought about [being the team's first district champion]. It's a big accomplishment."

Jones' time of 23.22 was fourth in Wednesday's qualifying. He had lane 6 in the finals, building a comfortable lead coming into the backstretch and registering a comfortable win over second-place Austin Morrow of Rockdale, who finished in 22.65.

"What really surprised me was the way he got out of the blocks," Rudder boys coach Calvin Hill said. "He had a great start and ran a determined race from start to finish. His time was outstanding."

Jones ran the 100 in 11.17 seconds. That was faster than his 11.33 that took third at last year's district meet, but well behind Taylor's Mark Jackson, who blazed to a 10.61 finish to edge Brock Taylor of Madisonville (10.77).

Two regional bids and a district title made up a great night for Jones, who said he was rusty at his first meet two weeks ago. He missed one meet while taking a week off after basketball season ended.

"After basketball I needed the break," Jones said. "[Basketball] coach [Chris] Jones likes to run and gun, and my legs were dead after the season. That week off really helped me."

Jones was the third Rudder boy to qualify for regionals, joining high jumper Alvin Moore and pole vaulter Colton Jackson.

Rudder's girls had a couple of close calls Thursday but managed to add only one regional berth to the three earned by Lamaria Cole in Wednesday's field events. The 1,600 relay team of Tori Tucker, Jacee Wren, Chanquise Robertson and Abby Phillips finished third in 4:29.37.

The top three finishers in each event earned regional berths.

Cameron's girls ran away with the team championship, scoring 213 points while Caldwell was second at 88. Rudder's girls were third with 75 points.

Rudder finished fourth in each of the girls hurdles races. Delandria Williams chopped her steps at the final barrier and finished the 100 hurdles in 17.73, while Preychus Bryant of Cameron took third in 17.66. Wren was fourth in the 300 hurdles with a time of 52.30 just more than a second out of third place.

Sprinter Maeson Mondrik helped Cameron's girls take control of the team race with two early victories. Mondrik won the 100 meters in a time of 12.49 and anchored the 400 relay, teaming with Alyssa Wilkes, Tonittiah Williams and Jamecia Smith for a time of 49.57.

Caldwell was led by Shakayla Johnson who finished first in the 100 hurdles (17.53) and 300 hurdles (49.53).

The other district champions from Brazos Valley schools were Caldwell's Vantazia Jackson in the 200 (25.67), Martha Bustamante of Cameron in the 800 (2:28.74), Cameron's Alisia Pena in the 1,600 (5:36.38), plus Cameron's 800 relay (1:45.36).

On the boys side, Rockdale claimed the team title by scoring 152 points. Taylor finished second with 139 points, a total bolstered by five gold medals from Texas signee Jackson. He won the 100 and 400 meters (49.88) on Thursday after sweeping the triple jump, high jump and long jump Wednesday.

The Rudder boys finished sixth in the team standings with 48 points. The Rangers were fourth in the 400 relay, as the unit of Timothy Kindle, Tre Hammond, Brendan Steptoe and Jones posted a time of 44.35. Cameron won the event in 42.64, followed by Rockdale (42.85) and Madisonville (42.95).

Other 24-3A champions from Brazos Valley schools included Daniel Brooks of Rockdale in the 110 hurdles (15.26) and 300 hurdles 40.59), Cameron's 800 relay (1:30.93) and 1,600 relay (3:29.90), along with Jacob Gerren of Rockdale in the 1,600 (4:43.67).