Eddie Chabarria and his Lehman cross country teammates keep running in preparation for the district meet in late October in Lockhart. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by MARK CAUL
With top runner Ramon Martinez still saddled with an injury, the Lehman boys cross country team has still managed to live up to expectations by grabbing top honors in Lockhart and Wimberley and finishing third at the recent Moulton Invitational behind state-ranked Luling.
Lehman head coach Jay Sansom is hoping that the hard work and determination his squad has put into their first four meets will translate into a good showing in district and ultimately a repeat trip to the state meet in November.
“We definitely want to be peaking at the right time and posting our best times once the district meet rolls around,” Sansom said. “Between now and then we want to get healthy and get some good miles under our belt.”
Justin Torres, Eddie Chabarria and Javier Torres have been among the top runners at each meet for the Lobos.
“All three of those guys have really stepped up and performed in Ramon’s absence and have taken leadership roles this season,” said Sansom. “If we can get at least five of our runners in the top 15 at every meet, we will always give ourselves a shot to win.”
Senior Ryan Sorenson, Jose Rangel and Jose Villareal have also been pleasant surprises for Lehman so far this season.
Sansom said he believes that his squad is more than capable of making another run at the district and regional meets.
“A lot of what we’ll be able to do will be based on how healthy we are when the district meet comes,” Sansom said. “We definitely have the talent to be one of the teams that could challenge Lockhart.”
The district meet will be held October 30 in Lockhart. Regionals are Nov. 6 in San Antonio and the state meet will be at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock on Nov. 14.
