Lockhart Boys and Girls Cross Country Season is under way

By Anthony Collins

LPR Editor               

Lady Lions open cross-country season with strong showing at Yoakum        

   The Lockhart Lady Lions cross-country team opened its 2026 season Saturday with a strong performance at the Yoakum Bulldog Invitational, placing fifth in the varsity division and third in the junior varsity competition. Competing on a shortened 1.5-mile course, the Lady Lions turned in several impressive early-season performances, including a top five varsity finish from senior Addison Harrod and an individual victory by freshman Daneli Cedillo in the JV race.

   Harrod led Lockhart’s varsity squad, finishing fourth overall among nearly 80 runners with a time of 9 minutes, 43 seconds. Senior Dayana Delgado followed with what head coach Reuben Ortiz described as one of the best performances of her career. Delgado broke the 11-minute mark, finishing 22nd overall in 10:46. Junior Alicia Sanchez was Lockhart’s third runner across the finish line, placing 28th in 10:52. Junior Sofia Rodriguez finished 45th in 11:41, while senior Melanie Garcia completed the Lady Lions’ varsity scoring five with a 49th-place finish in 11:59.

   The performance gave Lockhart fifth place overall among 13 varsity teams entered in the meet and provided Ortiz with an encouraging first look at a senior-heavy squad. “This is the start of a special year,” Ortiz said. “I can’t even remember how many years I have coached here, but what I do know is this is my biggest senior class team-wise. If we can train right and get healthy, we are going to do great things this year, and we are off to a good start.”

   Lockhart’s depth was also on display in the junior varsity division, where Cedillo used a strong finishing kick to claim the individual championship. The freshman completed the 1.5-mile course in 11:26, finishing first among approximately 50 runners and helping lead the Lady Lions to a third-place team finish.

   Junior Aliya Parra was not far behind, finishing 12th in 11:53. Sophomore newcomer Maci Lockhart placed 17th in 12:03, senior Katherine Silva Garcia finished 20th in 12:24 and junior Pyper Bornemann placed 25th in 12:46 to complete Lockhart’s top five scorers. Sophomore Soleil Ledesma finished 26th in 12:56 and junior Brianna Chavez Vasquez placed 31st in 13:28, serving as Lockhart’s sixth and seventh runners in the team standings.

   The Lady Lions’ deep JV lineup also included freshman Sopha Morgan, who finished 32nd in 13:31; freshman Sariah Barron, 33rd in 13:34; senior Zoie Ledesma, 35th in 13:57; senior Alahni Herrera, 38th in 14:11; and senior Kendra Mendoza, 39th in 14:16. “We have a young mix on our JV team this year with freshmen and newcomers, but what is really going to help us is that we have a good group of seniors to help coach our team,” Ortiz said. “This helped the girls today and is going to be needed throughout the season. The scary thought is, I know they are going to get better as the season goes.”

   Lockhart will continue its early-season schedule next week when the Lady Lions travel to Karnes City. Racing is expected to begin at approximately 8 a.m., with the Lady Lions moving up from the 1.5-mile opener to a two-mile course.

Lions race at Yoakum Invitational

By Scott Hippensteel     

   The Lockhart Boys Cross Country team kicked off its 2026 season this past Saturday August 15th, at the Yoakum Invitational in Yoakum, Texas.

   The Lockhart Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity teams both rolled to impressive victories. The Varsity Lion harriers placed first out of seven schools competing, scoring a very low number of points. The Lions finished the day with 20 points, followed by Yoakum with 66 points. Victoria St. Joseph placed third with 93 points, Palacios was fourth with 116 points, Vanderbilt Industrial scored 126 points to claim fifth place, Hallettsville finished sixth with 129 points, and St. Paul Catholic School of Shiner ended up in seventh place with 160 points.

   Lockhart had six runners finish among the top ten finishers in a field of 60 competitors. Lockhart senior Ethan Herrera began the season right where he left off last year with a win. Herrera covered the 2.25-mile course in just 12 minutes and 19 seconds. Herrera averaged 5:28 per mile.

   Sophomore Daniel Martinez was the second Lion harrier to cross the finish line, a mere 18 seconds behind Herrera and only one second behind the second-place finisher. “Daniel is a gifted runner. This was his first varsity race ever for Lockhart. I thought he did an amazing job, and I am sure we will see him only get better over the course of the season.” The duo of sophomore Rafael Urbina and junior Irving Ferretiz battled to fifth and sixth place overall with fine times of 13:01 and 13:04, respectively.

   Freshman Eli Estrada finished as the fifth man for Lockhart in ninth place with a fine time of 13:29. “Eli exceeded my expectations on Saturday. I told him early in the summer that he would be running varsity, and he did not disappoint today. I thought he ran a smart, disciplined race for only being a freshman.” Senior Ivan Gonzales was the sixth Lion finisher on Saturday as he placed 10th overall in 13:31. “I thought Ivan was amazing considering his current fitness level. He will be a dangerous runner in a few weeks when he rounds himself into shape. Nothing would surprise me because he is so strong and competitive.”

   The Lockhart Junior Varsity also won their race with just 19 points. Lockhart junior Chris Cano was the individual champion. “We are so proud of Chris. Through hard work and dedication, he has made himself a solid runner.”

  Lockhart will travel to Karnes City on Saturday, August 22, 2026. This will be a more challenging race for the Lions, as they are expecting a much bigger field of teams and individuals.