By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Despite missing some of its top runners, the Del Rio Rams cross country team still managed a top three finish at Medina Valley this weekend.
Del Rio High School Invitational winner Mikael Perez, who was at SAT testing, and Ely Losoya, who was ill, did not compete at this weekend’s Medina Valley Panthers 2022 Invitational but the team finished third overall in the boys varsity race behind San Antonio Alamo Heights, who won the race, and Castroville Medina Valley, which was second.
Two of the Rams finished in the top 25. Junior Jonathan Mendoza was Del Rio’s top finisher, taking 16th in 16:48.3. Senior Jose Ramirez was 24th in 17:04.7.
Senior Damian Espinoza was 26th in 17:11.8 and senior Rolando Rios was 27th in 17:15.0. Junior Alex Rodriguez was 43rd in 17:41.6, senior Joshua Reyes was 58th in 17:59.4, Jose Ortiz was 96th in 18:51.7, and Emiliano De Luna was 101st in 19:02.7.
GIRLS VARSITY
Del Rio’s varsity girls team finished fifth after amassing 135 points.
Cibolo Steele was first with 72 points, Lytle was second with 93 points, Northside Brennan was third with 99 points, and San Antonio Brackenridge was fourth with 109 points.
Junior Emily Torres, who won last week’s Del Rio Invitational, was sixth in 18:55.9, missing the top five by seconds. She was one of two Del Rio runners to finish in the top 10. Joining her was senior Kimberly Gloria, who was ninth in 19:06.1.
Freshman Ryland Ross was 22nd in 20:02.5, senior Cassandra Martinez was 59th in 21:39.3, senior Nayeli Cordova was 63rd in 21:46, senior Skylar Urias was 69th in 22:13.4, junior Cynthia Rubio was 80th in 22:51.8, junior Payton Becker was 98th in 23:46.4, and sophomore Kaylie Morales was 103rd in 24:04.3.
SMALL SCHOOL VARSITY BOYS
Del Rio’s junior varsity boys team competed in the small school varsity boys division, taking 16th out of 18 teams.
Freshman Antonio Padilla was the top finisher for Del Rio, taking 69th in 18:59.8. Freshman Samuel Curtis was 86th 19:24.1, junior Eric Flores was 87th in 19:25.1, sophomore Will Fooshee was 94th in 19:44.4, junior Adrian Garcia was 110th in 20:44.9, Miguel Buitron was 111th in 20:45.7, freshman Kevin Olveda was 117th in 21:03.5, freshman Jacob Smith was 127th in 21:42.2, and Owen Southam was 131st in 21:48.2.
JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS
Del Rio’s junior varsity girls team was eighth in its race. Boerne was first followed by Sotomayor, Cibolo Steele, Castroville Medina Valley and San Antonio Cole.
Del Rio’s top finisher in the race was freshman Nereyda Martinez, who was 26th in 14:53.4.
Freshman Zoey Martinez was 42nd in 15:14.5, senior Natalie Cordova was 55th in 15:27.6, senior Marina Jimenez was 74th in 15:50.4, Melina Ortiz was 88th in 16:05.7, freshman Carolyn Leija was 102nd in 16:22.3, senior Isela Gonzalez was 116th in 16:41.4, and freshman Arianna Martinez was 135th in 17:09.7.
Del Rio’s next meet is scheduled to be Sept. 2 and 3 at the FEAST Invitational at the San Antonio Old Verizon Amphitheater.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
