Ashley Morgan, Ofelia Negrete and Amara Smith helped lead Lehman to a first-place team finish at the Apache Invitational in Gonzales this past weekend. (Photo by Sadie Wygant)
by JASON GORDON
Both the boys and girls varsity teams from Lehman and Hays high schools finished the season strong in anticipation of the District 27-4A meet Thursday, Oct. 27 at Lockhart.
Lady Lobos dominated the Apache Invitational in Gonzales this past weekend, winning the varsity and junior varsity team event.
Leading the Varsity Pack were freshman Pressley Bailey, who received a 4th-place medal, freshman Ofelia Negrete with a 6th-place medal, Ashley Morgan in 8th place, while Amara Smith was 11th and Ashley Martinez 19th overall.
“This time of season it’s all about who wants it the most,” Lehman head coach Monica Tovar said. “The Lady Lobos are hungry and will work hard for what they want. Regionals is a definite goal and our ultimate goal is to advance to state.”
The Lehman boys varsity cross-country team finished second behind defending Class 3A state champion Luling in the Gonzales Apache Invitational despite missing two key runners out with injuries.
Senior Ramon Martinez led the way for the Lobos with a second place individual finish. Junior Patrick Villarreal finished 10th, senior Javier Torres finished 12th, senior Raymond Castaneda finished 15th and senior Rowdy Lind finished 26th for Lehman.
“Right now we are focusing on getting out of district,” Lehman boys head coach Jay Sansom said. “ A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. District is our first step.”
The Hays High boys team finished third at Vista Ridge.
Michael Normand (ninth) and Ryan McSpadden (10th) led the way for the Rebels, while Heath Agnew (20th), Tom Ayers (23rd) and Jason Peed (45th) also finished well for Hays.
“Michael and Ryan came in together, which was great,” Hays head coach Cliff Buckely said “ Both of them ran their fastest time. If they can keep that up it gives us a strong 1-2 punch, which will be important at district.”
The Hays High girls finished fifth as a team at Vista Ridge.
Mariana Sigala (6th), Emily Crowell (15tH), Carly Hogue (21st), Tabitha Rodriguez (25th) and Rose Hyak (27th) rounded out the field individually for the Lady Rebs.
“We will be trying to advance both teams to regionals,” Buckley said. “Neither team went last year and it was a bitter taste.”
Buckley said both Hays CISD teams will likely be fighting for the third and final spot out of district that qualify for regionals. In addition, the top 10 individual runners automatically qualify for the regional meet, which will be held at the University of Texas-San Antonio on the first Saturday November.
“The favorites on the boys side will be Alamo Heights and Lockhart. We will be fighting for third with Canyon, Smithson and Lehman,” Buckley said. “On the girls side, I think Canyon looks the best right now and we will be battling with Smithson, Lehman and Alamo Heights for the remaining spots. It should be very competitive and it’s one of those meets where every place will count. Our kids are running their best and we will try to maintain that competitive edge.”
