Cross country expects strong showing

October 24, 2012, 7:00 am by Mark Goodson

Highlander Sports Editor

Marble Falls cross country team has at least three runners that should crack the top 10 at this week’s District 25-4A meet at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock and coach Anthony Torns said the Mustangs have the potential to come up big in the team running, too.

"Cedar Park has the tradition and the athletes to expect to win both the girls and boys,’’ said Torns. "but our girls are one of the teams that should be in the running for one of the other two spots. Leander, Dripping Springs, Rouse and us should all be right there.’’

The girls team is led by Sarah Stripling and Tess Johnson. Stripling has a season-best of 20:05 in the 5K race. The junior and teammate Tess Johnson set the standard for the Mustangs all season. Johnson’s season best is 20:07.

The girls also have Darby Hibbs (20:20), Katelyn Corley (21:23), Haley Stephens (21:13) and freshman Nydia Castro (21:15).

"Everybody has bettered their times every meet and if they do that this week, we can be there,’’ Torns said.

Last year, the varsity only had two runners compete in the district meet on the girls side. But the JV won the district and Dibbs was the leader on that team.’

Castro filled in at the Westlake meet and has emerged as another threat for the Lady Mustangs.

The boys team is led by Jordan Wright with a season-best 16:31. Torns said he expects Wright to finish in the top 10.

D’Anthony Wall and Chance Daniels are other key contributors for the boys team.

Wall has a season-best of 17:16 and Daniel a 17:31.

"D’Anthony has just gotten better every week,’’ Torns said.

The meet will be run Friday in conjunction with the District 16-5A meet. The District 25-4A girls will start at 8 a.m. and the boys start is 9 a.m.

"It’s a great course,’’ Torns said. "It’s got some hills and it has some stretches that allow you to get in a rhythm. It’s an all grass course without rocks and rough terrain. We like the course. It’s where they run state so it meets the standards of a lot of people.’’

Following are Marble Falls entrants and season-best times for the District 25-4A cross country meet at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock:

varsity girls -- Nydia Castro (21:15) Katelly Corley (21:23) Darby Hibbs (20:20) Tess Johnson (20:07) Haley Stephens (21:13), Sarah Stripling (20:05)

JV girls  -- Yanna Gallyamova (14:18, 2-mile) Chase Martin (13:33)

Varsity boys – Jesse Arreguin, Nick Cano (17:42), Chance Daniel (17:31), Colten Hagood, (18:35), James Ramos (18:15), Cody Skipper (17:45), D’Anthony Wall (17:16), Jordan Wright (16:31).

JV boys – Tait Johnson (20:58), Daniel Mata (21:00), Ishmael Montoya (20:48)