Lytle Jr. High closes ‘21 XC season at District

The 8th grade Lytle Pirate and Lady Pirate Cross Country runners ran for the final time as middle schoolers last Wednesday in Poth at the District 27-3A Meet, while the 7th graders tried to establish personal bests to carry with them next season.
Runners from Lytle, Natalia, Cotulla, Dilley, Jourdanton, Karnes City, Poteet, and Poth all competed in their division’s two-mile races.
8th Lady Pirates
The 8th grade Lady Pirate team finished as runner-up to Poth. Lytle had 39 points, while the other set of Lady Pirates had 26. Karnes City placed third with 55 points.
Klayre Cook, Francis Scotello, and Kimora Sanchez placed in the top 10 with Cook coming in 4th, Scotello 5th, and Sanchez 9th.
Cook ran a 14:12 and Scotello came in 30-seconds later at 14:42. Sanchez ran 15:27.
Svetiana Lopez was 13th with a 15:59 and teammate Isabel Sewell was 20th at 17:37 to round out scoring for the runner-up 8th grade Lady Pirates.
8th Pirates
The 8th grade Pirates started the race in a pack, and finished in a pack as all six runners crossed the finish line one after another taking places third through eighth.
Chase Guevara was the first to cross for Lytle as he came in third at 12-minutes flat. Guevara was only 22-seconds off the overall champion’s pace.
Bryan Montes-Rodriguez placed fourth at 12:35.
Coming in neck-and-neck was Diego Reyna and Antonio Castro. Reyna placed 5th and Castro was tagged for 6th as both runners posted identical 12:45 times.
Noah Smoot was 7th at 12:52 and teammate Lucas Salazar was 8th with a 13:10.
Congratulations to the 8th grade boys for all finishing in the top 10!
7th Lady Pirates
The 7th grade Lady Pirates had three of four runners place in the top 10 overall. Vanessa Ayala came in 4th, while Laleina Riviera was 5th and Addison Wagner was 7th.
Ayala ran her two-miles in 15:21, Riviera came in with a 15:29, and Wagner timed at 16:47.
Sara Morquecho placed 22nd with a 15:27 to round out the four places and times for the 7th grade Lady Pirates.
7th Pirates
Weston Jackson led the 7th grade Pirate triumvirate placing 3rd overall with a two-mile time of 13:42. Jacob Zimmerle was 11th at 14:57 and Carlos Mercado was 26th at 35:11.
Congrats
Congratulations to all Lytle Jr. High runners on terrific team and individual seasons!
Coach speak
Lytle Jr. High Coach, and right hand man of Head Coach Gilbert Ruiz, Hadley Foster took time to thank those that mostly fly under the radar of deserved recognition for the role they play in ensuring so many young people have the opportunity to compete in such a demanding sport.
Coach Foster emailed his sincere appreciation to those that contribute so much to Lytle Cross Country:
“It has been a long season since August and so many people to thank. One of my boys said he saw his picture in the paper as we went to the meet yesterday. The publicity provided by The Devine News these last two years has been impacting on these young athletes and parents. Thank you Coach Beaty for your kindness to Lytle. I put 220 miles in two trips to Poth yesterday. Thank you Armando not only for your support by watching the team but to all your mechanics who help us get our athletes to our competitions. Thanks to the cafeteria for our meals and snacks and to the custodians for helping keep the locker rooms cleaned and sanitized. Yesterday couldn’t have happened without Mrs. Tina Reyna being the point to keep the runners informed through all the weather delays. The wonderful pictures by Mrs. Wagner are much appreciated. I have yet to figure out how to take pictures and time at the same time. The pictures of the clock are my focus. I was honored and pleased to see Mr. Raygosa at the finish and awards ceremony to celebrate with our athletes. Finally to all the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who support these fine athletes. They get them to early morning practices, make sure they have everything necessary to be the best and support them when they run.”
By Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer