Lindale Lady Eagles' Travicia Acy and Di'Mond Edmond will compete in the UIL Class 3A State Track & Field Meet on Saturday in Austin. (Sarah A. Miller | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

LINDALE — Thanks to their diamond in the rough and ace in the hole, Lindale’s girls track and field program grew leaps and bounds at the regional meet.

Lindale freshman Travicia Acy ascended high enough to reach state in the high jump, and senior discus thrower Di’Mond Edmond threw far enough to join her in the discus. The two compete at the UIL state meet on Saturday at Myers Stadium in Austin.

Lindale track coach Derek Tyson called it a unique situation, with Acy getting to state in her first year and Edmond breaking through after challenging since her sophomore year.

“I’m proud of both,” Tyson said. “Di’Mond for her to accomplish this her senior year is special. She’s just a workhorse in everything. I’m proud of her dedication and being committed to say ‘I haven’t made it all the way.’ And for Travicia to achieve this in a short amount of time is remarkable.”

Acy claimed the wild card spot at state after taking third at regionals. She cleared a career-best of 5 feet, 4 inches at regionals, two inches better than her previous best.

“It took a lot of hard work and practice,” said Acy, who also played volleyball and basketball. “My coach had me come out every day running. That helped get my spring to push up.”

Acy enters state tied for the fourth-best mark, and hopeful of adding four more inches to her personal best. The medal favorites coming in consist of Liberty Hill’s Jessica Green (5-6) and Paris North Lamar’s Kara Erickson (5-6), along with Silsbee’s Ashley Johnson (5-5).

“You have to have a lot of height to push up over bar,” said Acy, who stands 5-10. “Hopefully I can clear 5-8 and finish (in the top three).”

Edmond brings a rare mix of speed and strength. The 5-11 Edmond earned All-East Texas honors in basketball. She plans to walk on next year at Texas Woman’s University.

Edmond, who also competed on the 800- and 1600-meter relays, made the third time the charm after failing to get past regionals the previous two years. She qualified with a mark of 113-1, putting her eighth among the nine entrants.

“The most important thing is your speed and making sure you get height on it,” Edmond said. “I wanted to go state at least one time before my career was over.”

The top qualifying marks belong to Pecos thrower Kebbeh Darpolor (133-0), Shallowater’s Madison McIntire (132-0) and Big Spring’s Cerbi Ritchey (131-10).

“I’ve seen her throwing in the mid-120s,” added Tyson, who has been assisted by head volleyball coach Meghan Koonce and cross country coach Audrey Klein. “I know she has a chance.”