CC: Center JV girls capture top honors at Crockett
1st place plaque they won at the 13th Annual Davy Crockett Invtational on
Saturday. Team members include Rebeca Medrano, Maria Medrano, Jessica
Soto, Norma Ruiz, Stephanie Araujo, Alejandra Lara, Elizabeth Bailey, Whitnee
Tomlin, Evelyn Campos, Camyn Lisk, Yesenia Lopez and Yetze Sanchez.
(Photo by Cara Harless)
The Center high school cross country teams started the 2010 season with improved times and top performances when they competed at the 13th Annual Davy Crockett Invitational at Hickory Creek Ranch in Crockett on Saturday.
The CHS junior varsity girls captured top honors in their division, while the varsity boys recorded a 4th overall finish and the JV boys posted third overall. A slew of Rider performers set personal times at the meet.
JV Girls Division
Center freshman Rebeca Medrano led a strong list of Lady Rider competitors as she finished 9th out of 67 competitors to lead the Center junior varsity to the first-place finish. Rebeca's sister, Maria Medrano, placed 15th overall.
Other members of the Center squad include Jessica Soto, Norma, Ruiz, Stephanie Araujo, Alejandra Lara, Elizabeth Bailey, Whitnee Tomlin, Evelyn Campos, Camyn Lisk, Yesenia Lopez and Yetze Sanchez.
Varsity Girls Division
Center varsity runner Cala Harless placed 6th out of 76 runners to pace the Lady Rider varsity at the meet. She drew the praise from Center Head Cross Country Coach Donna Shannon.
"Cala set a new personal best time of 14:02, which is huge for her," Shannon commented. "It's only the first week of competition and she's already running better than her peak times from last season."
Shannon said Harless and teammates Celia Gonzalez and Maria Tello are athletes that going to post great results during the 2010 season.
Varsity Boys Division
Three members of Center varsity boys team posted personal best times at the competition as the squad posted a 4th-place finish overall.
Roughrider senior Rene Solis led the team with a 6th place overall, competing against 100 runners. Sophomore Brayan Ruiz was 15th and set a new personal record of 19:01.
Other CHS finishers included Luis Sanchez (Soph.), setting a new personal best with a 19:58. Aaron Strong (Soph.) and Cody Oswalt (Soph.) also competed. Sophomore Jose Tello set a new personal record with the time of 20:16.
JV Boys Division
The Center junior varsity boys cross country squad posted a 3rd overall finish, led by freshman Luis Garcia, who placed 6th in the individual competition with a time of 20:09. Garcia was a middle school standout a year ago.
Another top finishers of note included sophomore Daniel Woodhatch, who set a new personal best with a 20:54.
Other members of the Center junior varsity boys team include Pablo Gonzalez (Fr.), Luis Garcia (Soph.), Eric Gonzalez (Fr.), Eduardo Mireles (Fr.), Jose Paredes (Fr.), Ian Moore (Fr.) and David Ventura (Jr.).
Shannon said she and assistant coach Richard Ruiz were very pleased with what they saw in the opening event of the season.
"The kids are starting to show so much maturity in their running as well as beginning to understand there is more to cross country than just running," Shannon explained. "I am so proud of this group and feel very blessed to be a part of their lives.
"I think Center Cross Country is on its way; we will never give up, never give in and never lose faith."
Center will continue the season at the Apple Springs Invitational on Saturday.