Successful region meet qualifies cross country teams for state

Boys win region, girls finish second

A+junior+from+the+varsity+boys%E2%80%99+cross+country+team+runs+the+team+flag+around+members+of+the+girls%E2%80%99+team+as+the+varsity+girls+prepare+for+their+race+at+their+region+meet+on+Oct.+21.+The+Lady+Panther+runners+ended+with+three+girls+placing+in+the+top+ten+individually+and+second+in+the+region.+

Shelby Foster

A junior from the varsity boys’ cross country team runs the team flag around members of the girls’ team as the varsity girls prepare for their race at their region meet on Oct. 21. The Lady Panther runners ended with three girls placing in the top ten individually and second in the region.

Shelby Foster, Photography Editor

The Panther cross country team continued its successful season with the boys placing first overall and the girls placing second in the region 3-AAAAA meet on Oct. 21 at Heritage Church.

“The strengths in our team are how close our top five is together,” coach Austin Enriquez said. “The backside of our top five is what’s going to bring our team to victory [at state].”

Girls’ results

“We all work together to finish strong together,” freshman Darby Olive said.

The girls pushed themselves to place 2nd overall to McIntosh, and, in turn, qualified for state with three girls placing individually in the top ten.

Freshman Darby Olive – 19:06, 3rd place overall

Sophomore Megan Dobso – 19:41, 6th place overall

Senior Mary Valli – 19:55, 8th overall

For the rest of the times, click here.

“The start, going downhill, definitely felt good up until the mile, and then I struggled up until I came across the big bridge on the last mile,” Dobso said.

Boys’ results

Shelby Foster
A member of the varsity boys’ cross country team runs during the region meet on Oct. 21 at Heritage Church. The Panthers placed first in the region with three individual runners placing in the top ten.

“The goal at state is to beat our competitors at McIntosh for the state title,” junior Nick Nyman said. “This would be the first time in school history a team has ever won state in cross country and my individual goal is to win and help pace my friend Harrison to a fast time as well.”

The Panthers used this race to qualify for state with three boys placing in the top ten individually.

Junior Nick Nyman – 15:32, 1st place overall

Junior Harrison Fultz – 16:22, 4th place overall

Junior Ty Duben – 16:41, 6th place overall

For the rest of the times, click here.

“I’m going to go as hard as I can at state and I’m going to try to get as far up there in the pack as I can,” Fultz said.

The Panthers finish their season at the state meet on Nov. 4 in Carrollton. For more information on the team, click here.