SPORTS — Del Rio cross-country takes on Islander Invitational

By Brian Argabright

The 830 Times

The countdown to the District 30-6A meet is now on for the Del Rio cross-country program.

After this past weekend’s Islander Invitational, there are just two more meets before Del Rio takes its first shot at a return to the state meet in Round Rock. Only the McNeil Invitational, which is held at the site of the state meet, and the Seguin Invitational remain.

Del Rio will have a bye the week before the district meet, which will be held at Del Rio High School this year.

At the Islander meet, Del Rio faced runners from more than 20 other schools including district rivals Laredo Alexander.

The varsity teams competed in the 5K races while the junior varsity teams competed in the Large High School categories.

The varsity Queens finished 14^th in the Girls 5K race. Prosper took first followed by Comal Canyon and Round Rock. Alexander finished 12^th, just three points ahead of Del Rio.

One hundred twenty five girls competed in the race. Del Rio’s Emily Torres took 10^th overall in a time of 19:50.47. Prosper’s Shewaye Johnson was first in 17:56.66. Torres was the top runner from 30-6A in the race.

Other Del Rio runners in the race included Kimberly Gloria, who was 38^th in 21:08.57; Nayeli Cordova, who was 85^th in 22:47.92; Sydney Ballard, who was 88^th in 22:50.57; Cassy Martinez, who was 106^th in 23:54.20; and Mackenzie Pulliam, who was 115^th in 24:56.33.

In the Gold Boys 5K, Del Rio was 16^th. San Antonio Brandeis was first followed by Prosper and Round Rock.

Fellow District 30-6A team Laredo Nixon was sixth, Laredo LBJ was ninth, and Laredo Alexander was 28^th. Forty schools were represented in the race.

Brandeis’ Skyler Roper was first in 15:53.47, but Laredo Nixon’s Margarito Benavides was second in 15:59.75.

Del Rio’s top runner was Ely Losoya, who was 37^th in 17:23.12. Joining him were Mikael Perez, who was 91^st in 18:20.55; Joseph Fuentes, who was 105^th in 18:32.77; Joe Chavez, who was 144^th in 19:27.93; and Andres Rivera, who was 163^rd in 10:58.14; Jose Ramirez, who was 169^th in 20:06.12. According to Del Rio Cross-Country coach Vicky Perez, Juan Lopez was Del Rio’s fourth runner, but his results were not recorded.

A total of 208 runners competed in the race.

In the Girls Large High School race, Del Rio was 31^st as a team. San Antonio East Central was first followed by San Antonio Johnson and Laredo Nixon.

Corpus Christi Flour Bluff’s Madiison Sutterfield took first place in the race, finishing in 19:29.17.

Grace Rodriguez was Del Rio’s top runner, finishing 139^th in 24:55.54. Joining her were Cynthia Rubio (155^th, 25:14.61), Natalie Cordova (179^th, 25:51.87), Luz Guerra (211^th, 26:50.85), Marina Jimenez (215^th, 27:06.75), Kaylie Morales (235^th, 28:00.93), and Payton Becker (245^th, 28:55.67).

In the Boys Large High School race, Del Rio was 30^th. Round Rock was first followed by Liberty Hill and Rowe.

Corpus Christi King’s Jackson Lovron was the top runner, finishing in 17:13.93.

For Del Rio, Jonathan Mendoza led the Rams, finishing 63^rd in 19:21.42. He was joined by Jose Martinez (84^th, 19:45.99), Aiden Dueñez (205^th, 22:19.46), Eric Flores (225^th, 22:48.94), Owen Southam (227^th, 22:54.21), and Armando Garcia (231^st, 23:12.46).