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Blake Cockrell runs a solid race at Old Settlers Park. Contributed photos/Chris Shrader -
On the left, Tyler Hamblin battles teammate Nick Dahl Saturday in Round Rock. -
Marco Almazan ran one of his best races Saturday.
The Marble Falls Mustang cross country team got a visit by Marble Falls alumni Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Round Rock McNeil meet. “I am sure his presence was inspirational for the team,’’ said Marble Falls Coach Chris Schrader. “The boys Varsity team stepped to the line ready to prove that the hard work has been worth it.’’
Rising to the occasion the boys placed fourth out of 28 teams with 160 points. Eleven teams from Class 4A, Region 3 were present and Marble Falls finished a team average time of 16.38 for the scoring top 5.
“The significance of this effort is that the team average of 16.38.8 was faster than any Mustang runner performed individually on this course in 2021.’’ Schrader said. The state meet will be run on the same course – Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Leading the 5000m charge was Nick Dahl with a huge 15.42.7 and a huge 66 second personal record. Dahl’s time borders on history as only Leo Manzano has run faster on the state course with his 15.28 at the 2003 State championship Two weeks ago Dahl had to sit out the St. Andrews meet where he had 46 stitches in his calf losing an argument with a barbed wire fence.
Super sophomore Tyler Hamblin ran stride for stride with Dahl and ran 15:46.30 a 73 second PR from last year’s state meet.
Blake Cockrell’s commitment to the team is showing in each race. Cockrell started the year with a 2021 PR of 19.01. Seasonally he is rolling and again came away with a 28th place 16.47.95 and another 57 second PR.
“If Blake keeps this up he will be a major factor in our quest to win the district and advance into the state meet,’’ Schrader said.
Newcomer to the Varsity was sophomore Marco Almazan. He stepped up big time in 50th place with a 17.07.95 and a massive 90 second PR. ‘’Almazan is working hard to improve his position on the team and we will be looking for him to be a significant contributor next week when we take on the 5A/6A teams at the Leo Manzano Invi-tational on Saturday October 1.
Schrader said rounding out the scoring 5 sophomore Ezekiel Atkinson ran a very strong 17.49.44 for eighth place and a 65 second PR.
Freshman Hunter Holder continues to improve in leaps and bounds and his 211th place 21.51.57 was another 65 second PR from his last race. “Hunter is investing in himself on a daily basis and has already reached the 8 mile distance on his long run.,’’ Schrader said.
Freshman Malin Nelson is a solid trainer and he continues to take chunks off his time. Malin ran in the JV race placing 93rd with a 31:00.3.
In the girls JV 3200m, Marble Falls had more of the same with major improvements on times and like in the boys we had two freshmen and a sophomore.
Freshman Tori Thompson seized the race from the gun and it looked like she was going to run away with the race. Once the dust settled it became a lady head to head contest. Tori is a great competitor pulling ahead in the last 200m with a 13.24.4 for 3200m and a 50 second PR. Sophomore Chloe Ellis then ran into the limelight with a major effort on her part to place third with 13.40.3.
Freshman Carmella Lozano ran 15.49.5 for 27th place and a 38 second PR.
I have never been at a race where every athlete had significant PR’s.
“The boys and girls on the team are working like crazy and the conditions are still fairly oppressive,’’ Schrader said. “It will be interesting to see how much more we can improve as temperatures come down.’’
Our next race will be the Marble Falls home meet on Saturday, Oct. 1.