The Manzano Story

Last year the Noon Lions Club petitioned the school board to name the new track and field facilities after local running legend Leonel Manzano.

Tonight members of the MFISD board of trustees, former coaches and teachers, members of the Noon Lions Club and the Manzano family will gather during halftime of the Marble Falls vs. Hendrickson football game to do just that.

Manzano was a nine-time state champion for Marble Falls High School in cross country and track before moving on to the University of Texas where he was a five-time NCAA champion. He is now a world-class middle distance runner and U.S. Olympian.

“Please come and help celebrate not only the exceptional athlete Leonel has become, but also the symbol of leadership and excellence he has become to the children of Marble Falls ISD and the communities we serve,” superintendent Dr. Ryder Warren said.

Manzano is returning back to the Hill Country after spending much of the last year out of the country. He trained in Mexico before competing in Greece, Italy, Sweeden and Belgium on his way to taking part in the World Championships in Berlin on Aug. 19. The U.S. men’s middle-distance running team is currently ranked second best in the world behind the Kenyan team.

Tonight’s football game will be held at the new Mustang Stadium and will begin at 7:30 p.m. The halftime presentation should begin between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.