Slaton XC competes strong in Lubbock Invitational
By Melissa McCaghren
Slatonite GM
The Slaton boys and girls track teams competed in the Lubbock Invitational Saturday afternoon (Sept. 25), the first of several meets at Mae Simmons Park.
The boys team finished eighth overall while the girls placed 20th.
Coach Landon Sims said this was a good way to start preparing for District, and beyond. “This was a Regional preview. We ran against nothing but 3A schools,” he said. “It helped us get a better understanding of where we stand not only in the Region, but also where we stand in District.”
In the boys division, Elijah Culver was the highest finisher for Slaton, placing ninth with a time of 18:19.
Also placing were. Xavier Riojas, 45th (20:06), Isaiah Chapa, 60th (20:35), Curtis Holland, 69th (20:49), Ishmal Gonzales, 82nd, (21:20), Anguel Lopez, 94th (21:35), and Ivan Venzor, 110th (22:20).
In the girl’s division. Kaitlyn Parker finished in the highest placing, earning 85th with a time of 15:35.
Other finishers for Slaton were Kat Castillo, 98th (15:44), Kaylynn Salazar, 128th (16:40), Meagan Hersom, 141st (17:20), Presley Alford, 149th (18:10) and Gabby Romo, 157th (18:50).
This upcoming week, the teams will race in the Oil Patch Invitational, set for Saturday (Oct. 3) at Sundown High School in Sundown.
The Varsity girls will race at 11 a.m. and the boys at 11:30.
Sims said there are pros and cons to this event, but it will still be beneficial to the team’s preparation for the big District race. “It will be a flat course, however it will be longer, the girls race will be 2.2 (miles), the boys race will be 3.3,” he said. “I like the idea of us having a race at a longer distance before District.”
They are also preparing for the upcoming meets in other ways.
“The one change we are making is moving all remaining workouts to the afternoons, it is hot, but District and Regionals will both be in the afternoon,” added Sims. ”We need to prepare to go fast in warmer weather. The only day we are leaving in the mornings is Thursday due to conflicts with both JV and Junior High football.”
Times and race location are as of press time Tuesday (Sept. 28)
