Hanna boys, Rivera girls repeat as 32-5A team champions
LOS FRESNOS — It was a day of repeats Friday at the District 32-5A cross country meet.
The Hanna boys captured the 32-5A championship for the sixth straight year, while the Rivera girls won the district title a third consecutive season, this time by just one point.
Los Fresnos’ David Guillen, a senior, successfully defended his individual boys district title by winning in 16 minutes, 14 seconds over a 3.1-mile course. San Benito’s Brenda Lopez, a junior, made a vast improvement from one year ago when she finished 15th to take first place in the 32-5A girls race in 11:57 over a 2-mile course.
The meet was run over an area surrounding Los Fresnos’ Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium with the finish line inside the facility.
Friday’s top three teams qualified for the Region IV-5A meet Nov. 5 in San Antonio along with the top 10 individual finishers who are not members of one of the top three teams.
“I was kind of relaxed (while in the lead during) the first mile, and then I found out my time wasn’t what it usually is, so from there, I knew that it wasn’t going to be a fast race, and I just ran to win, I suppose,” said Guillen, who placed eighth at region and 34th at state as a junior. “It feels good to have the title of district champion. I thank God for helping me win today.”
Guillen’s winning time of 16:14 was 13 seconds better than runner-up Anthony Rodriguez of Hanna. Juan Cardenas of Los Fresnos took third in 16:30.
The girls race was a lot closer with Brenda Lopez taking first in 11:57, just ahead of Rivera’s Christina Rivera and Keila Rodriguez, who finished second and third, respectively, in 12:04 and 12:07.
“I’m very happy and proud for my school that I did so good,” Lopez said. “The course was flat (and that helped).”
The finishes of Rivera and Rodriguez were important factors in the Lady Raiders capturing the 32-5A title again with 48 points. Los Fresnos was second with 49 and Hanna third with 69. Other girls helping the Lady Raiders repeat were Jackie Valles (sixth), Brandy Endsley (17th) and Karla Avila (20th).
“It feels pretty good to be district champions three years in a row,” Christina Rivera said. “We’re going for No. 4 next year. It’s for the pride and joy of our school. It’s just a good feeling.”
Added Rodriguez, “I knew it was going to be a close race between us and Los Fresnos. Madison (Metsker-Galarza of Los Fresnos who finished fourth) was in front of me, and I knew I had to pass her at the end (to help the team).”
Even though Hanna had won the previous five 32-5A boys team championships, it was still a mild surprise that the Golden Eagles came through with district title No. 6 in a row. Hanna won with 41 points. Los Fresnos was second with 48. Pace and Weslaco High came next with 82.
“This (Hanna) team is maybe not as talented as ones from years past, and Los Fresnos had been beating us (at meets) throughout the season,” Hanna coach Jaime Vasquez said. “Today, our boys ran very hard to represent the history and tradition of our previous teams. I’m proud of them for doing that. They didn’t want to be the first Hanna team (in six years) not to win district.”
Besides Anthony Rodriguez placing second for the Eagles, other strong finishers for Hanna were Luis Sandoval (sixth), Jorge Gonzalez (eighth), Juan Uribe (12th), Luis Treviño (13th) and Esequiel Caballeros (14th).
Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.
Cross country results
Friday
District 32-5A
At Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium, Los Fresnos
Girls Varsity (2 miles)
Team Standings
1. Rivera, 48 points; 2. Los Fresnos, 49; 3. Hanna, 69; 4. San Benito, 94; 5. Weslaco High, 129; 6. Pace, 172; 7. Lopez, 185; 8. Porter, 202
Individual Results
1. Brenda Lopez, San Benito, 11 minutes, 57 seconds; 2. Christina Rivera, Rivera, 12:04; 3. Keila Rodriguez, Rivera, 12:07; 4. Madison Metsker-Galarza, Los Fresnos, 12:13; 5. Jocelyn Alvarez, Los Fresnos, 12:14; 6. Jackie Valles, Rivera, 12:16; 7. Elvia Valdez, Weslaco High, 12:17; 8. Jessica Reyna, Porter, 12:18; 9. Saira Gonzalez, Hanna, 12:19; 10. Angela Galeano, Weslaco High, 12:24; 11. Mariana Sanchez, Hanna, 12:29; 12. Alondra Davila, Los Fresnos, 12:33; 13. Angie Garza, Los Fresnos, 12:35; 14. Nicole Gomez, Hanna, 12:37; 15. Audrey Urbis, Los Fresnos, 12:44; 16. Ashley Taylor, Hanna, 12:52; 17. Brandy Endsley, Rivera, 12:59; 18. Selene Becerra, San Benito, 13:05; 19. Elizabeth Rodriguez, Hanna, 13:07; 20. Karla Avila, Rivera, 13:10.
Boys Varsity (3.1 miles)
Team Standings
1. Hanna, 41 points; 2. Los Fresnos, 48; 3. Pace, 82; 4. Weslaco High, 82; 5. Porter, 109; 6. Rivera, 205 (note: San Benito and Lopez did not field complete varsity boys teams)
Individual Results
1. David Guillen, Los Fresnos, 16:14; 2. Anthony Rodriguez, Hanna, 16:27; 3. Juan Cardenas, Los Fresnos, 16:30; 4. Esteban Garcia, Pace, 16:46; 5. Cody Martinez, Weslaco High, 16:51; 6. Luis Sandoval, Hanna, 17:02; 7. Andrew Leal, Weslaco High, 17:03; 8. Jorge Gonzalez, Hanna, 17:05; 9. Rafael Duenes, San Benito, 17:06; 10. Charlie Gonzalez, Pace, 17:10; 11. Ray Moya, Los Fresnos, 17:11; 12. Juan Uribe, Hanna, 17:15; 13. Luis Trevino, Hanna, 17:17; 14. Esequiel Caballeros, Hanna, 17:19; 15. Jonathon Gutierrez, Porter, 17:21; 16. Scott Urbis, Los Fresnos, 17:22; 17. Miguel Cruz, Los Fresnos, 17:26; 18. James Martinez, Weslaco High, 17:33; 19. Jose Jimenez, Pace, 17:48; 20. Homer Trigo, Porter, 17:49.
