Marble Falls cross country is 3rd at Lago Vista meet

CAPTION: The 2025 Marble Falls High School boys varsity team includes Colton Rutland (left), Logan Hargraves, Santiago Gaytan, Connor Yaklin, Jahir Garcia, JJ Walker, Joaquim Edwards, Brazos White, Owen Martin and Graham Goggans. Courtesy photo

The Marble Falls High School cross country program brought home more medals thanks to outstanding performances at the Viking Invitational hosted by Lago Vista High School Aug. 28.

Both the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs earned bronze medals in the varsity divisions.

“I’m really proud of how our team competed on a very tough course,” head coach Brenda Gonzalez said. “Burnet edged us out again, but we showed clear improvement across the board. It was a great opportunity to measure ourselves, and I like the way our athletes responded.”

Graham Goggans paced the Mustangs by clocking 18 minutes and 44.5 seconds to finish sixth overall, while Owen Martin was eighth in 19:01.9 and Logan Hargraves came in 15th in 19:57.6.

“Graham and Owen are our lead runners, and their consistency in the top 10 really sets the tone for the team. They give us confidence every time out,” Gonzalez said. “Logan is close to joining them, and as we keep learning to close the gaps between runners, we’ll be even stronger.”

Brazos White was 19th in 20:16.7, Joaquim Edwards clocked 20:19.7 to finish 20th, and Jahir Garcia came in 21st in 20:25.

“Our depth is improving every week,” the coach said. “In some districts, those finishes might have won the meet, but here it put us third. To me, that just shows the quality of competition in the Austin area and how much faster we’re becoming as a team. We’re getting closer to where we want to be.”

In the girls race, Reese Ramsey was second in 13:58 and Sapana Khatri came in eighth in 15:03.7 on the two-mile course.

“Reese’s silver medal and Sapana’s eighth-place finish gave us a strong start and just like the boys, the key now is closing the gaps,” Gonzalez said. “We’re a young group of sophomores and freshmen, and every race they’re learning how to run better together. The pieces are coming together at the right time.”

Other runners include Katerina Moseley, who ran 15:47.2 for 16th, Graci Nelson, who ran 16:14.5 for 21st, and Savannah Hamblin, who finished in 16:52.6 for 32nd.

“They’re tough, they’re willing to put in the work, and they really battle for one another,” the coach said. “Our returning sophomores — Savannah, Reese, Abbie and Hadalye — have done a great job encouraging and leading, while the freshmen bring energy and fun. They love running and competing for each other, and that’s powerful.”

In the junior varsity races, the Lady Mustangs finished 15the overall, and the Mustangs were sixth overall.

“Overall, both varsity and JV showed growth and competed well,” Gonzalez said. “These kids are putting in the work and getting better each week. I love watching it all come together and, most importantly, I enjoy being their coach.” 

She said the course didn’t allow runners to set new personal records.

“The multiple hills, gravel and winding roads definitely slowed times down,” she said. “But that’s what made it valuable. It was about learning to compete when conditions are tough, and I loved the grit and effort from all of our teams.”

Marble Falls competes at the Austin Bowie Invitational Friday, Sept. 5.

CAPTION: The 2025 Marble Falls High School girls cross country team includes Hadalye Hernandez (back row, left), Katerina Moseley, Graci Nelson, Reese Massey, Sapana Khatri, Sonoma Damuth, and Savannah Hamblin; Fallon Gibson (front row, left), Abbie Henderson, Marlei Faz and Fernanda Perez. Courtesy photo