The cross country teams compete in Lubbock tomorrow after running their first meet at home and last weekend at Yoakum County Golf Course at the Plains’s meet on Sept. 17.
The Indian varsity team took third with 84 points. Sophomore Michael Condarco placed 14th, freshman Carlo Franco placed 18th, senior Alex Lugo placed 26th, sophomore Joe Villalva placed 31st, sophomore Joseph Valdez placed 43rd and sophomore Ramon Juarez placed 45th.
Franco, who finished 10 seconds behind Condarco’s 19 minutes, 38 second time, is the youngest runner on varsity.
“There’s a lot of pressure [being on varsity] since I’m expected to do well,” Franco said. “You have to compete against other top runners.”
Coach Rick Spruill said having Franco on varsity can improve the team’s chances of advancing.
“When you have a good, young runner, it improves the team by enhancing the competition level amongst team members,” Spruill said.
The Maidens did not run a full team on Sept. 17, with only three varsity runners. Senior Jasmine Whitzel placed 35th, senior Isabell Resendez placed 84th and freshman Randee Thomas placed 94th.
“Our goal is to get in the top three at regionals,” Coach Dickie Faught said. “We’re working on our speed and pace.”
Faught said he was glad to finally have Whitzel run varsity, since UIL rules kept her on the JV last season.
“She’s a good runner and hard worker,” Faught said.
Both coaches felt that Andrews was the team to watch out for in district competition.
“Andrews is the best team in the district because they have one of the best runners in the state on their team,” Spruill said. “He makes his entire team better with his work habits and presence.”
In JV men’s action, freshman Chris Norcross came in 13th at the Plains meet. In JV women, junior Judy Lopez was 50th and freshman Elizabeth Gillespie was 56th.
