WINNEMUCCA - It was quite a season-opener for the Lowry High School cross country team last Wednesday in Spring Creek. In the past, the Buckaroos began their year in Minden at the Douglas Class Races, where the course is relatively flat.
Instead, Lowry was greeted with temperatures near 90 degrees and a course with a number of hills that concluded at Spring Creek Golf Course. The warm temperatures, combined with the tough terrain, took its toll on the field. A number of runners, including two from Lowry had to receive medical care. Madie Estes, a Spring Creek runner, collapsed 25 yards from the finish, as she ran in third place, and was taken to the hospital.
"It was a tough day for the runners," said LHS head coach Dawn Lucas. "It was hot out there with the sun beating down on the kids. You throw the hills in and made for a tough race. For those who finished, they found some pride in that. Maybe they didn't feel as strong as they should but they finished. We are used to running on flat surfaces for the first couple of races and this was quite a change."
Harley Baker finished 11th for the boys team with a time of 20 minutes, 44 seconds. As a team the Buckaroos were fourth with 78 points. Elko and Spring Creek were first and second, respectively, and West Wendover was third with 84 points.
Richie Bleck and Luis Brown followed with times of 21:07 and 21:36, while Nate Nelson timed in at 22:40. Austin Schultz (24:18), Ethan Andrews (24:23) and Dusty Hamilton (26:03), rounded out the times for Lowry.
"Harley and Richie ran well and a lot of our returners led the way for us," Lucas said. "With the small boys group we have we need those guys to lead the way with the newcomers sticking close to them."
The Buckaroos' Layne Burgess and Marquess Jones did not finish the race due to the heat and were treated at the Spring Creek Golf Course clubhouse.
"Usually we start with the Douglas Class Races where the kids are running on a flat course with kids their age," Lucas said. "I don't know if it was a good schedule switch but we did it. The kids got thrown into a tough race right off the bat. Maybe it was a great way to start."
Yoana Chavez placed 13th and led the Lady Bucks with a time of 27:26. Eva Mercado followed her at 27:55 and Alondra Duenas finished at 28:35. Jorden Raynor had a time of 28:43, Tania Alcaraz (30:10), Riata Kull (32:19), Nani Ramirez (32:36) and Morgan Rasmussen (32:25). Rounding out the times for Lowry were MaElena Sanchez (34:14), Claudia Duarte (36:03) and Sierra Christy (37:05).
"Yoana ran a great race for us and Alondra ran for the first time and had a nice race," added the coach. "Our girls tend to run together, which is good to see. Jorden is still trying recover from a foot injury from over the summer, and she did not place as well as she wanted to."
As it was in the boys race, Elko and Spring Creek took home the top two spots in the girls team standings. The Indians placed five girls in the top 10 to score 23 points and the Spartans finished with 46.
"Despite the heat issues it was good race," Lucas said. "The kids have to get used to drinking more water. We picked up some good performances and were missing a few runners."
Lowry will face another tough course as it travels to Lake Tahoe for the Whittell Invitational on Friday at 3 p.m.
"It will be another tough course with hills and water crossings, plus we are at a higher elevation," Lucas said. "Hopefully we will have everybody. We start out with a couple of tough races, which is good."
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