LHS sweeps Yoakum Invitational

LISD

The Lockhart Boys Cross Country team opened their 2023 campaign this past Saturday at the Yoakum Invitational.

The Lions ran well across the board as they won both the Junior Varsity and Varsity divisions.

In the team scoring, Lockhart won the varsity race with just 21 points. A total of 14 teams participated in the race. Gonzales finished second with 103 points, Goliad was third with 141, Victoria West fourth with 145, and meet host Yoakum rounded out the top five with a score of 153.

Lockhart Senior Zeke Sanchez and Junior Alejandro Cruz ran together as they placed 1st and 2nd in the team scoring. Both runners came across the line together in 12 minutes and 29 seconds. The distance was just short of 2.3 miles or 3,700 meters. 

Senior Cole Frey lost a close battle right at the finish line as he placed fourth overall out of a field of 87 competitors. Frey finished with a time of 12 minutes and 43 seconds.

Senior Carlos Terrazas finished sixth overall in 12 minutes and 54 seconds. Terrazas sacrificed himself he paced Lockhart freshman Ethan Herrera to eighth place. Herrera finished with a time of 12 minutes and 59 seconds.

“I was very pleased with our execution today.” Said Lockhart Coach Scott Hippensteel. “Everyone was willing to do what was best for the team. We didn’t go out too fast, we helped our teammates when they were struggling. I think we are only going to get better. This should be a very good season.”

Completing the LHS varsity was junior Anthony Daniel, who finished in 10th with a time of 13:12, and senior Griffin Mason, who placed 11th in 13:14.

The Lockhart Boys Junior Varsity easily won as they finished 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th place.

Lockhart sophomore David Ruiz led the as he placed second overall with a fine time of 14:00. Sophomore Jace Ramsey finished just three seconds behind Ruiz in third place.

“I think both of these guys are really going to improve this season,” Hippensteel said.

Junior Victor Lopez placed 5th in 14:22, and was followed by freshman Ivan Gonzales in 6th at 14:36. Sophomore Hayden Brast placed 7th in 14:42, sophomore Paul Munoz finished 8th in 14:47, sophomore Ben Perales placed 9th in 14:54, freshman Keaton Archer finished in 23rd at 17:17, and senior Nathan Peralez crossed the line in 26th place with a time of 17:19.

The Lions will resume action on Saturday, Sept. 2 at the Lockhart “Hippensteel” Invitational held at the Lockhart City Park.