By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
The streak is over.
For the first time since 2003, Del Rio High School will not be represented at the State Cross-Country Meet in Round Rock after the results from Tuesday’s Class 6A, Region IV Cross-Country Meet in Corpus Christi were announced. Only the top four teams and top 10 individual runners not already on qualified teams advanced to the State meet. Del Rio failed to meet either of those marks.
While current head cross-country coach Vicky Perez wasn’t at the helm when the streak began, inheriting it from former head coach Ric Smith, she often said she understood the pressure the coaches and runners were under each season to continue the State streak. Seeing it come to an end, Perez explained, doesn’t mean the end of Del Rio cross-country.
“I am very proud of how our kids competed today. They showed up and gave it their all and that’s all we can ask as coaches,” Perez said. “To see the streak come to an end is really tough, but as a coach I have to continue looking forward and keep working knowing we will return to the State meet soon. Go Rams and Queens!”
The closest any Del Rio runner got to reaching State was senior Emily Torres. A two-time state qualifier and two-time district champion, Torres finished 20th overall in a time of 19:47.40. She finished five spots out of qualifying. The runner who took the final spot was Genesis Serratos from Laredo United who finished second to Torres at the district meet.
As a team the Del Rio girls finished 15th overall. Austin Vandegrift won the team title with 48 points. Dripping Springs was second with 153 points followed by Austin Lake Travis with 156 points and Austin Bowie with 178 points.
San Juanita Leal, a senior from Edinburg North, won the individual regional championship in a time of 17:12.91. She led the contingent of state qualifiers not affiliated with state-qualified schools.
Making the trip to State as individuals along with Leal are Maddison Surita of Edinburg Economedes (2nd, 18:07.42), Emma Wade of Cedar Park Vista Ridge (3rd, 18:37.56), Micah Mizell of Round Rock Stoney Point (6th, 18:49.36), Ava Linnell of Austin Akins (7th, 18:55.90), Savanah Moya of New Braunfels (9th, 19:06.89), Caila Lyons of Northside Brennan (10th, 19:10.96), Brookly Crow of San Antonio Taft (19:12.72), Araceli Ford of San Antonio O’Connor (12th, 19:23.17), and Serratos.
Joining Torres on Del Rio’s varsity girls team were freshman Keziah Bishop (55th, 20:42.30), freshman Reba Salinas (85th, 21:15.29), sophomore Ryland Ross (114th, 21:56.17), and senior Cynthia Rubio (147th, 23:18.39).
Del Rio’s varsity boys team finished 17th overall with 385 points. Austin Vandergrift won the team title with 56 points. Round Rock was second with 135 points followed by San Antonio Reagan with 193 points and Austin Bowie with 207 points.
Senior Ely Losoya was Del Rio’s top male runner, finishing 46th in 17:00.50. Individuals qualifying for state were Hayden Scott of San Antonio Brandeis (2nd, 15:29.67), James Butler of Del Valle (3rd, 15:32.13), Alexis Rodriguez of Edinburg North (5th, 15:35.18), Arlo Gonzales of San Antonio Lee (6th, 15:41.52), Drew Campbell of Austin Lake Travis (7th, 15:48.81), Zachary Miller of Northside Brennan (9th, 15:58.75), Benjamin Wright of Austin Lake Travis (10th, 16:00.80), Colby Huntress of Austin Anderson (16:06.68), Andrew Bachl of Austin Westlake (16:09.31) and Ben Hamilton of Austin Westlake (16:10.31).
Joining Losoya on Del Rio’s varsity boys team were senior Jonathan Mendoza (58th, 17:13.32), senior Alex Rodriguez (82nd, 17:30.53), sophomore Samuel Curtis (128th, 18:09.81), junior Jose Martinez (149th, 18:26.33), sophomore Antonio Padilla (158th, 18:41.21), and senior Adrian Garcia (176th, 19:37.81).
This year’s State meet is scheduled for Nov. 3-4 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
