Hays’ Miriana Sigala finished first overall to help pace the Hays girls to a victory over Lehman in Saturday’s dual match. The Rebel varsity boys also narrowly knocked off the Lobos in the team competition. (Courtesy photo)
by JASON GORDON
Both the Rebel varsity boys and girls cross-country teams were victorious at a dual meet on Saturday against Lehman at Hays High School.
The one-two punch of Mariana Sigala and Emily Crowell paced the Lady Rebs, as they finished the course located just behind the Hays tennis courts first and second overall. Carly Hogue (fifth place), Jennifer Colonnetta (sixth), and Tabitha Rodriguez (eighth) rounded out the solid group of varsity competitors for the Hays High girls.
“Mariana ran another very strong race,” Hays High head coach Cliff Buckley said. “She was alone throughout and looked in control. Our next four battled for position with the Lehman runners and we just got better coming down the home stretch. There were some great individual battles going between the girls as they ran down the final straightaway.”
Top varsity runners for the Lady Lobos were Ashley Morgan (third overall), Ofelia Negrete (fourth), Amara smith (seventh), Pressley Bailey (ninth) and Bianca Meza (twelfth). The Lobos fell short with the score of 35 to 22.
“Our young ladies fought hard and are really focused on district in a few weeks,” Lehman girls head coach Monica Tovar said.
The boys team race was even closer, as Hays High won on the strength of having four runners inside the top six.
The top Rebel finishers were Michael Normand (second), Ryan McSpadden (third), Heath Agnew (fourth), Tom Ayers (sixth), and Logan Lindsey (tenth).
“The boys race was an absolute dogfight and the team winner came down to the wire,” Buckley said. “It was a race that could have easily gone the other way. Everyone ran a great individual race, but Tom Ayers was the deciding factor in our team winning on Saturday. He has a lot of heart and it is no mistake as to why he is one of the co-captains of this team.”
Lehman’s Ramon Martinez captured the overall title. His fellow Lobo teammates were Patrick Villareal (fifth), Raymond Castaneda (seventh), Brian Velasquez (eighth) and Nick Wittkopp (ninth).
Silver cowboy boots were awarded to both winning varsity teams during this first-ever dual meet between the schools.
“We are hoping to start a tradition with them being handed back and forth over our meetings in the future,” Buckley said. “We’re really looking forward to trying to do this every year.”
