Lion harriers race to 18th consecutive district title

The Lockhart Lion Cross Country team ran to an 18th consecutive District Championship this past Saturday morning, Oct. 29, at the Lockhart City Park.
With temperatures in the low 60″s and almost no wind the running conditions were ideal. Lockhart made good use of the weather as they scored 39 points to win the title by six over Elgin. Cedar Park Vista Ridge scored 47 p

oints to finish third overall. All three teams will advance to this Saturday”s Regional Championship race in San Antonio.
The Lockhart Lion Cross Country varsity team knew they had their work cut out for them long before the 2005 season began back in August. The Lions had four out of the top six runners from the 2004 squad that placed second at last years state meet graduate, while Cedar Park Vista Ridge graduated no one, and Elgin, last year”s seventh place team at the State Meet, only graduated one of their top five runners.
Senior Justin Platt ran a strong race as he completed the 5,400-meter course in a time of 18:01 to place 5th overall. It was just the second time this fall that Platt has finished as the top Lion harrier.
Junior Nick Yunkun finished right behind Platt in 6th place with a time of 18:04. Junior Jonathan Fitzgerald finished 8th overall in 18:26. Fitzgerald has been a steady and consistent performer for the Lions during the last month of the season. Senior Stoney McCrary ran another solid race placing 9th overall in 18:31. Completing the top 5 runners for Lockhart was junior Sean Smith who placed 11th in 18:37. Completing the varsity race for Lockhart were juniors Clay Culpepper and Nic Alford who placed l2th and 16th with times of 18:41 and 18:57 respectively. The seven runners for Lockhart all finished within 56 seconds of each other.
Entering the meet Lockhart was ranked #3, Elgin #5, and Vista Ridge #7.
“Without question District 26-4A is the best District in the State of Texas,” said Head Coach Scott Hippensteel. “I was very proud of how our Lockhart kids handled a really difficult challenge last weekend.”
The Lockhart junior varsity team won their 18th consecutive District title as Lockhart runners placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th. Sophomore Rory Tunningly, who ran a time of 18:37, led the Lockhart junior varsity team. James Silva placed 2nd, Scott Woody finished 3rd, Scotty Castanon was 4th, James Saldana was 6th, Christyan Gutierrez placed 7th, Gabe Atwell finished 24th, and Jordan Delgado was 25th.
The Lockhart freshman boys” team laid claim to their 17th District Title in the last 18 years as Lockhart runners finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th. James Bonn, who covered the 3,000-meter course in just 10:02, led the Lockhart freshman team. Close behind was Jose Medina in 2nd, Marcos Gonzales in 3rd, Xavier Thomas in 4th, Cameron Peters in 7th, Alfredo Maderal in 8th, A.J. Maderal in 9th, John Garcia in 10th, and Luke Wooley in 17th.
The Lockhart Girls and Boys Cross Country teams will be competing at the Regional meet on Saturday morning beginning at 10:50 A.M. in San Antonio on the UTSA campus.
“The Lockhart runners would appreciate any and all support,” Coach Hippensteel said.
“The Lockhart Cross Country teams would like to say “thank you” to everyone who came out to the park on Saturday to support the Lions. The team would also like to thank Bernie Rangel and the City Parks department for their help in getting the course ready for the meet,” he added.
(Courtesy of Scott Hippensteel)