Lions embark on ‘rebuilding’ phase as season starts slow

The 2013 Lockhart Lion Cross Country season got underway this past Saturday morning at the beautiful Lockhart City Park.

A record 33 high schools and eight junior high schools participated in what has become one of the biggest meets held each fall in Texas.

With only one runner returning from last years top seven varsity runners at Lockhart, the Lions will be in a rebuild

ing mode this fall.

The Lockhart Lion varsity placed seventh out of 10 teams on Saturday, and were with in striking distance of placing in the top five teams overall.

Samuel Clemens won the team title with just 39 points. Lockhart finished with a score of 150 points.

The Lion harriers were led by junior Sergio Moreno, who ran an outstanding race. Moreno finished fifth overall out of over 94 runners competing. Moreno finished exactly one minute faster than in 2012 as he ran a fine time of 10:04. Moreno also improved from 66th in 2012 to fifth.

Junior Taylor Stephens also ran a tremendous race on Saturday as he placed 19th overall. Stephens ran the 1.9-mile course in 10:32. Stephens moved up from 93rd to 19th in one year.

“I was really proud of our top two runners,” Head Coach Scott Hippensteel said. “They have worked very hard over the past twelve months.”

Sophomore Marco Sillero finished 52nd in his first Lockhart Invitational race. Sillero ran a strong race and finished with a time of 11:22. Sophomore Michael Roehr showed the greatest improvement over the past twelve months as he ran 2:20 faster than one year ago. Roehr placed 54th in 11:25.

Lockhart’s only senior, Erik Moreno, was the fifth Lion harrier to finish on Saturday. Moreno placed 57th in 11:26. Moreno ran 31 seconds faster than in 2012.

Sophomore Martin Salinas completed the varsity team as he placed 75th in 12:02. Salinas is also a much improved runner from 2012 and a will be counted on to help the Lions this fall.

The Lockhart JV squad placed ninth out of 16 teams. A total of 263 runners competed in the Junior Varsity race.

Junior Cameron Adams led the way placing 30th. Junior Sabass Amaya next for the Lions in 47th. Amaya was a standout 400-meter runner for Lockhart last spring on the track.

Dylan Adams was the third finisher for Lockhart. Adams placed a strong 67 th. Joe Angel Trejo showed his talent as he placed 88th. Completing the top five and the scoring for the Junior Varsity team was Junior Jonah Gonzales. Gonzales finished 93rd overall.

Sophomore Rafael Martinez made his debut with an outstanding 96th place overall. Martinez has really improved over the past three months.

Juniors Julian Fernandez and Tyler Spillmann ran strong races as they placed 147th and 148th respectively.

Sophomores Ty Dozier and and Colt Pierce both ran debut cross country races last Saturday placing 161st and 163rd overall.

Junior Chris Roehr, who has been a vital team leader during the summer finished in 164th.

Sophomore Denver Carter ran well, placing 169th.

The Lions will not compete this weekend, but will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Moulton Invitational.