Lehman head cross-country coach Jay Sansom called Patrick Villarreal his team leader this year. The Lobos are looking to get back to the regional level after missing out in 2011. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by JASON GORDON
After failing to advance past district for only the second time in school history in 2011, the Lehman High boys cross-country team is ready to get back to work.
With summer practice officially starting on Aug. 6, senior Patrick Villarreal said he and his teammates are ready to reverse last season’s trend.
Only Lehman individual Ramon Martinez, a senior in 2011, made it to regionals. He finished in the top 20 but did not advance to state.
“I think we had a lot of youth on the team last year and we didn’t really understand the tradition that comes with being a Lehman cross-country runner,” Villarreal said. “This year, we have to put on our shoes and get ready to go.”
Villarreal will be one of three key Lehman returning varsity team members, along with Brian Velasquez and Nicholas Wittkopp.
“Patrick Villarreal is our leader,” head coach Jay Sansom said. “He’s smart, he works hard, and he will be a guy a lot of our younger runners look up to.”
Sansom added both Velasquez and Wittkopp would fill key roles as well, now that they have varsity experience.
“Brian will be one of the best runners we have,” Sansom said. “If he can get his work ethic to match his talent, he has the ability to be great. He’s a senior this year, and we’re counting on this to be his best year yet. I don’t think Nicholas realizes the kind of talent he has. He trains very hard and I expect him to build his way into a leadership role this season.”
Sansom said he knows it won’t be easy being one of the top three teams to make it out of District 27-4A to advance to the regional meet.
“Boerne Champion won state last year, Lockhart is always a threat to make it not only to regionals but to state, and then you have Hays and Alamo Heights, who are both very tough,” Sansom said. “I don’t think we’ll be one of the favorites going in, but if our guys put the training in, they can achieve anything. If not, then we’ll be on the outside looking in again. Our goal is to compete for one of those top three spots in district, and I believe this team has that potential, but it’s all about getting our times where they need to be before the district meet. It all comes down to hard work, and that starts today.”
During the regular season, Lehman will compete in Lockhart (Sept. 1), Pflugerville (Sept. 14), at Hays High (Sept. 22), and in Manor (Oct. 5). The Lobos may also pick up an extra meet in October before the District 27-4A meet Oct. 27 in Lockhart. The regional meet will be held at a site to be determined on Nov. 3. The UIL State Cross Country Meet will be held at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock on Nov. 10.
