Lady Lion runners take district crown

For the first time since 2001 and the fifth time in 11 years, the Lady Lions Cross Country team cruised to the district title with a low total of 29 points.
It was a day when all 11 Lady Lion runners, both Varsity and Junior Varsity, ran personal records on the Lockhart City Park course.
The Lady Lion team was followed by Vista Ridge with 39 points, Taylor with 7

6 points, and Elgin with 84 points in the team competition.
With just under 1000 meters to go over the 1.86 mile course, the Lady Lion pack of Aly Gonzales, Aly Daily, Livi Massey, and Tami Warner took control of the team competition of the race. Each runner surged ahead of their district rivals from Vista Ridge, Taylor, and Elgin.
With 400 meters left, Gonzales and Daily pulled ahead further, as Gonzales finished 2nd in 11:39 and Daily finished 3rd in 11:42 overall.
Gonzales, a competitive freshman, started the season overcoming injuries, but since early October has thrived into a real force on a Lady Lion squad. The squad features talented youth and a tough senior trio composed of Tami Warner, Courtney Lee, and Ashlyn Spring.
Sophomore Alyson Daily is part of that talented youth. She has continued to see tremendous improvements in her performances. Saturday was arguably her finest race yet in her still young career.
Fellow teammate, sophomore Livi Massey, was 6th in 11:52. She used a very strong finish to place just in front of the always reliable and consistent Tami Warner, who placed 7th in 11:55.
Following Warner was freshman Jannah Platt in 12th with a time of 12:17, Courtney Lee in 13th with a time of 12:18, and Ashlyn Spring in 20th with a time of 12:50.
“All three runners were tremendous as Platt and Lee easily placed well ahead of Vista Ridge”s fifth runner,” said Coach Lee Datesman.
“The title was really special for the three seniors on the squad, a title that has eluded this very special group of young ladies until Saturday,” he added.
At the junior varsity level, Naomi Oliva led the charge with a 12:38 time, good for 2nd place overall.
Also placing for the Lady Lions were freshmen Tera Alford in 4th with a time of 12:52, Jessica Herrera in 6th with a time of 13:10, and Mary Woody in 15th. All four ladies ran their personal best times.
To qualify for the State Meet, the Lady Lions” varsity squad will compete at the University of Texas-San Antonio in the Region 4-4A Meet this Saturday, Nov. 5.

(Courtesy of Lee Datesman)