Hanna boys capture third straight 32-5A cross country title

OLMITO - It was definitely a father-son moment for Jaime and Kevin Vasquez at the District 32-5A cross country meet Friday morning at the Brownsville ISD Encampment.

Hanna senior Kevin Vasquez won the boys varsity race (2.95 miles) in 15 minutes, 32.44 seconds to help the Golden Eagles claim their third straight district championship for coach Jaime Vasquez, Kevin's father.

"This is the first cross country race I've won since fifth grade, so I'm excited," said Kevin, who took an early lead and didn't relinquish it. "It's a great way to go out (as a senior). I knew it was my last time to run at district and everyone was here - my dad, my mom and a lot of people from school. I just wanted to do well and represent our school. Thank God I was able to pull it out."

Jaime Vasquez had two reasons to be happy. His son took first and his team won district again when there were at least a few questions about the Golden Eagles' ability to repeat. Some newcomers for Hanna had to come through to make it happen.

"To coach Kevin since he was a little boy and see him win a district championship at this level is awesome," the Hanna coach said. "Hopefully he'll continue and be able to run in college. We'll see. I'm just proud and happy for him."

Besides Vasquez, other top finishers for the Golden Eagles were Javier Zamora (fourth), Jaime Zarate (sixth), Ezequiel Calleros (11th), Juan Ibarra (13th), Freddy Troncoso (14th) and Jose M. Vega (15th).

The Hanna boys won with 35 points. Runner-up San Benito collected 64 and third-place Los Fresnos had 84.

Rivera's Juan Garcia (15:37.40) and Los Fresnos' Silvester Fernandez (15:38.57) finished second and third, respectively.

The top three teams and top 20 individuals at district advance to next week's regional meet in San Antonio.

San Benito prevailed in the girls varsity race (1.98 miles) as Cinthia Adame, a senior, took first in 11:36.52. The Lady Greyhounds ended Los Fresnos' two-year reign as district champs with 44 points. Hanna was second with 52 and Los Fresnos took third with 84.

"It feels great, especially when we weren't expected to be the winners," San Benito girls coach Belinda Perez said. "We knew it might be us, Los Fresnos or Hanna, and that's pretty much how the results ended up.

"Cinthia ran exceptionally well," Perez added. "She's been doing great all season long. She's been running a lot more relaxed. I feel we have a good chance at regionals (as a team) and that Cinthia, for sure, should make it to state."

Adame won comfortably ahead of second-place Andrea Avila of Pace (11:40.96) and third-place Samantha Fish of Los Fresnos (12:08.51).

"When you're a senior, you've got to do your best to set the example, and that's exactly what I did," Adame said. "Primarily, (the difference for me) was being focused mentally. In a race like this, your body may be ready, but your mind may not. Sometimes your nerves kill you, and sometimes they don't. I was able to do just fine today."

Other top finishers for the Lady Greyhounds were Daisy Urrecha (ninth), Maria Hernandez (10th), Raeanna Claudio (11th) and Mariela Sanchez (13th).