Runners face frigid conditions at district meet

Even though the weather wasn’t on their side, the Indian and Maiden cross country teams bundled up for freezing rain at the district meet on Oct. 26 in Andrews.

  The Indian team placed second in district advancing to regionals with two individual qualifiers in senior Micah Smith and freshman Landon Elder.

  The Maidens took fourth as a team with senior Hailey Davis advancing as an individual. Davis regretted what COVID-19 did to the season. 

 “If this season hadn’t been during a pandemic, we could’ve gone to more meets just to get more practice,” Davis said. 

  The Indians to advance, especially since new pandemic rules lowered the qualifiying teams from three to two. 

  “Being able to advance to regionals is such a blessing,” Smith said. “I’m really glad we have the opportunity to go as a whole team.” 

 For Davis it was  the cap on four years of work. 

  “I felt really excited being able to make it to regionals because it is my last year,” Davis said. “It’s just one more high school experience I get to live.” 

  With regionals just 10 days away on Nov. 10 at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock, the runners will continue to prepare.

  “The team still needs to work on being mentally strong,” Elder said. “We have all worked hard physically.”  

  Smith, who has made it to regionals for the past four years, sees each meet as something to build on.

  “The only things we can control are our attitude and our effort,” Smith said.