In their first cross country meet of the season, the Natalia Mustangs made a great showing with three teams, Varsity Mustangs, Varsity Lady Mustangs, and JV Mustangs. The runners competed in Pearsall last Saturday. They will head to SA Feast on September 7th, Poteet September 21st and then Dilley September 28th. Each event is scheduled to start at 7:00 am.
The JV Mustangs finished 2nd as a team. Gianni Rios placed 6th, Isaac Martinez 10th, Elijah Banda 17th, Evy Curiel 25th, Jeremiah Gomez 34th, and Mason Cone also competed. “I am very proud of them and how well they did with so many competing in their first meet Saturday,” said Coach Kimberly Lane.
“Varsity girls also did a great job and they are improving daily. I am impressed with their hustle and determination. They are some of the most respectful, hard working ladies I have coached. Team members are Tatyana Alvarado, Sofia Almendarez, Liberty Gilkey, Reagan Juarez, Meg Martinez, Gabriella Munoz, Ashley Sutton, and Carolina Tapia,” stated Coach Lane.
The Varsity Mustangs had four athletes place in the top 15, running as a group to encourage each other and help maintain a consistent pace. Noah Gilkey with a time of 18:10, Jared Stallworth 18:12, Diego Zapata 18:20 and Coltin Richardson 18:41. Juelian Armendariz 19:20 (21st), Isaac Rios 19:28 (23rd). Daniel Tristan ran a 20:47 and Fabian Ruiz ran 23:48.
“Our Varsity boys were impressive! We have a wonderful group of hardworking athletes. This is just a peek of what is to come for the amazing Mustang Cross Country team and I am humbled to a part of the journey with them,” said Coach Lane