Youth proved more versatile than experience Saturday as a pair of freshman runners claimed gold amid sloppy conditions at the inaugural Hays High cross country invitational meet at Lake Kyle Park.

Hays Rebel freshman Abigail Parra took first place in the Girls 5,000 meter run with a time of 18:57.00, while Lehman Lobo freshman Esteban Garza captured first in the Boys 5,000 meter run with a time of 16:10.00.

The duo were part of seven total Hays CISD varsity athletes who finished in the top 10 in the boys and girls races, combined.

“Since we’re younger, we’re more determined. Many of the older people were not worried about freshman. But we’re trying to keep up.”

–Abigail Parra, Hays freshman runner

For Parra, success for younger runners came because of their determination.

“Since we’re younger, we’re more determined,” Parra said. “Many of the older people were not worried about freshmen. But we’re trying to keep up.”

Parra stayed ahead of the pack by knowing her own pace and being able to recognize when to speed up or slow down, which she believed were important factors.

A primary challenge was avoiding the temptation to follow the pace of other runners.

“Sometimes I’m tempted to keep up with them, and sometimes I want to stay up there with them, even though it’s not my pace,” Parra said.

Garza captured his victory by working his way from the middle of the pack at the start at the start of the race. It was at the 1.5 mile mark of the three mile race that Garza held the lead and didn’t let go.

Maintaining a steady pace and not wasting energy by trying to sprint out of the blocks helped his cause.

“I was testing the waters and it seemed like everyone was going a little bit slower,” Garza said. “So I pushed myself to get up there (to the front).”

Both Parra and Garza, along with the more than 150 combined varsity level runners, had to combat a muddy and wet course.

Parra said she tried to watch her footing and her footsteps within the first mile of the race. One she got past the first mile, Parra opted to keep going and “not worry about it.” Helping Parra was experience as a soccer player, which she has played in similarly poor foot conditions.

Lehman Lobos freshman cross country athlete Esteban Garza sprints through a muddy open field during the opening 100-plus yards of the Hays High invitational meet at Lake Kyle Park.

For Garza, the race was a mental exercise as much as physical one. Runners had to watch their step, while also making sure they did not collide with other athletes who had slipped during the run.

While the Lobo cross country team battled a tough course in Cedar Park, he said Saturday’s race at Lake Kyle was one of hardest courses they had experienced.

“It was hard, with the rainy weather. It was hard to breathe,” Garza said. “I was almost slipping because it was muddy and there were some holes to avoid. It was definitely adventurous.”

Both runners, along with their teammates, are readying themselves for the 2018 District meet at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock in early October.

Garza said Saturday’s meet gave all runners a chance to see where everyone is prior to the final few races of the year.

“It (district) is just another meet. I tell myself I’ll do just fine and just to keep training and everything will work out okay.”

Overall, the Hays High boys and girls cross country teams took home first place in the team standings. Lehman’s boys cross country team finished in fifth place, while the girls took sixth place.