Marble Falls cross country performs well at State Preview

CAPTION: Marble Falls High School runners Connor Yaklin (left), Jahir Garcia, JJ Walker, Colton Rutland and Santiago Gaytan compete in the Class 4A division of the Round Rock McNeil Hoka Invitational Sept. 19. Courtesy photo

The Marble Falls High School cross country program competed at the Round Rock McNeil Hoka Invitational Sept. 19 at Old Settler’s Park.

The meet is commonly known as the state preview because it’s the site of the state meet in November.

“This meet brings together competition from all over the state,” head coach Brenda Gonzalez said. “Running in races with such big fields teaches you the importance of getting out well, navigating through traffic and holding your position. And of course, being the state preview, this is the exact course where every runner hopes to end their season. Getting a feel for it now builds confidence and makes it a goal to get back here at the end of the year.”

Four Mustangs — Joaquim Edwards, Logan Hargraves, Graham Goggans and Owen Martin — competed in the silver division that had 260 runners. Because Marble Falls didn’t have five runners it didn’t earn a team score.

Edwards paced the Mustangs by finishing the 5K course in 18 minutes and 6 seconds. Hargraves came in 143rd in 18:08.2, Martin was 191st in 18:33.4, and Goggans was 217th in 18:52.8.

Gonzalez entered these Mustangs in this division “for the higher level of competition.”

“For first-timers Joaquim and Logan, I thought they ran really well,” she said. “They worked together, pushed each other and showed a lot of growth throughout the race. I was proud of their effort and how they handled their first big-stage race.

“Owen and Graham both ran this race last year, but this time it just wasn’t their day,” she added. “Owen fell early and never quite recovered, and Graham didn’t fuel properly, which caught up to him. Running can be humbling — it was simply an off day for them — but I know they’ll bounce right back and lead us strong in our next meet. Both of them have a lot to show this year.”

In the boys Class 4A division, which had 364 runners, Burnet was 15th overall with a cumulative team time of 1:31.21.5 and an average time of 18:16.3. Marble Falls finished 39th with an overall time of 1:42.28.8 and an average time of 20:29.8.

“This was a big opportunity for others to step up,” Gonzalez said of the Mustangs running in the Class 4A division.

Jahir Garcia finished 126th in 18:53.5, while Jerry Walker was 162nd in 19:19.4, Colton Rutland came in 227th in 20:22.1, Santiago Gaytan was 247th in 20:57.7, and Connor Yaklin came in 280th in 22:56.4.

“I was really pleased to see freshmen Jahir and JJ compete well in their first ever big race,” Gonzalez said. “They handled the moment well. Colton is starting to find more rhythm, I liked what I saw. Overall, I was proud of how they finished and the way they represented us.”

In the girls Class 4A division, Burnet finished the two-mile course 28th overall with a cumulative team time of 1:10:10.2 and an average time of 14:02.1, while Marble Falls was 38th overall with a cumulative time of 1:11:57.5 and an average time of 14:23.5.

Gonzalez noted that most of the sophomores were familiar with the course.

“But it was the first time on this stage for our freshmen,” she said. “We didn’t have the greatest start, but the girls still ran well overall.”

Reese Massey came in 57th in 12:45.5, while Sapana Khatri was 180th in 14:08.6, Savannah Hamblin finished 230th in 14:45.7, Graci Nelson was 231st in 14:45.8, Hadalye Hernandez came in 274th in 15:32.1, Sonoma Damuth was 290th in 15:57.8, and Marlei Faz finished 294th in 16:26.5. Other runners include Fallon Gibson, who finished in 16:57.7 and Abigail Henderson who was done in 17:04.2.

“Reese ran a season best — she’s slowly but surely hitting her stride and having fun,” the coach said. “Sapana is learning how to run in big races, and I was proud of her effort. Graci and Savannah continue to do a great job working together. Graci actually fell early, but she bounced back, showed grit and finished right behind Savannah. I told her to make a move late and she passed about 10 runners at the end. Hadalye and Sonnie also did a nice job of working together. Even our JV girls, who we moved up, ran strong. Overall, I’m proud of how they competed and the toughness they showed.”

In the boys junior varsity division, Burnet finished ninth overall thanks to a team time of 1:59.29.5, while Marble Falls was 11th in 2:02.11.

Marble Falls’ next race is its home meet — the Leonel Manzano and Rick Edwards Memorial Cross Country Invitational — Saturday, Sept. 27.

“We’d love for the community to come out, support the athletes, and watch them showcase all of their hard work,” Gonzalez said.

CAPTION: Marble Falls High School runners Joaquim Edwards (left), Logan Hargraves, Owen Martin, and Graham Goggans are all smiles after competing at the Round Rock McNeil Hoka Invitational. Courtesy photo

RESULTS

BOYS

Silver division (260 runners)

135, Joaquim Edwards (Marble Falls), 18:06; 143, Logan Hargraves (Marble Falls), 18:08.2; 191, Owen Martin (Marble Falls), 18:33.4; 217, Graham Goggans (Marble Falls), 18:52.8

Class 4A division (364 runners)

13, Clark Yanez (Burnet), 16:58.7; 24, Adan Carreon (Burnet), 17:31.3; 70, Isaac Vega (Burnet), 18:3.5; 114, Jose Flores (Burnet), 18:44.1; 126, Jahir Garcia (Marble Falls), 18:53.5; 162, Jerry Walker (Marble Falls), 19:19.4; 214, Austin Moore (Burnet), 20:04.1; 218, Russell Ramirez (Burnet), 20:08.6; 227, Colton Rutland (Marble Falls), 20:22.1; 242, Hector Vega (Burnet), 20:47.5; 247, Santiago Gaytan (Marble Falls), 20:57.7; 280, Connor Yaklin (Marble Falls), 22:56.4; Gabe Castillo (Burnet), 21:20.2; Andrew Resendez (Burnet), 21:55.1

Junior varsity (151 runners)

17, Gatlin Gilmore (Burnet), 21:12.1; 38, Matthew Resendez (Burnet), 22:29. 1; 41, Leon Perez (Burnet), 22:31.5; 42, Landon Fletcher (Marble Falls), 22:32.6; 53, Hudson Dehorty (Marble Falls), 23:01.7; 54, Hunter Holder (Marble Falls), 23:03.9; 73, Gilverto Barajas (Burnet), 25:23.2; 80, Tanner Alford (Marble Falls), 25:59; 88, Taylor Alford (Marble Falls), 27:34; 93, Angelo Ramirez (Burnet), 27:53.8; 95, Easton Carey (Marble Falls), 28:10.9

GIRLS

Class 4A division (375 runners)

20, Asah Roy (Burnet),12:11.2; 57, Reese Massey (Marble Falls), 12:45.5 (new season best); 178, Kamila Palacios (Burnet), 14:08.3; 180, Sapana Khatri (Marble Falls), 14:08.6; 193, Erica Flores (Burnet), 14:20.1; 196, Abby Bennight (Burnet), 14:23; 230, Savannah Hamblin (Marble Falls), 14:45.7; 231, Graci Nelson (Marble Falls), 14:45.8; 259, Brekyn Langley (Burnet), 15:07.8; 274, Hadalye Hernandez (Marble Falls), 15:32.1; 278, Brooklyn Flores (Burnet), 15:41.1; 290, Sonoma Damuth (Marble Falls), 15:57.8; 294, Marlei Faz (Marble Falls), 16:26.5; Fallon Gibson (Marble Falls), 16:57.7; Abigail Henderson (Marble Falls), 17:04.2

Junior varsity (117 runners)

25, Marigny Griffin (Burnet), 16:25.5; 52, Bethany Norred (Burnet), 16:32.2; 29, Savannah Griffin (Burnet), 16:34.7; 36, Perla Rodriguez (Burnet), 17:04.1; 40, Naveah Perez (Burnet), 18:08.9; 41, Karla Rodriguez (Burnet), 18:28.9; 43, Ava Saldivar (Burnet), 18:56; Emily Montoya (Burnet), 20:07.7