The NIAA 3A Cross Country State Championship was held at Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City last weekend and Lowry had four runners participate.
“The Veterans Park course was a little deceptive,” said Lowry coach Kathy Norcutt. “It did not seem like it was very challenging, but everybody’s times were slower than usual. The surfaces were interesting. It was grass, then asphalt, and it also had a lot of sandy areas.”
In the girls 5,000 meter race 53 runners competed, with Carissa Buchholz from South Tahoe winning in a time of 19 minutes, 1.9 seconds.
Lowry freshman Jovi Kuskie (20:55.0) placed seventh to get the last available medal of the race.
"Jovi was in eighth place towards the end of the race, and only the top seven runners get a medal," Norcutt said. "She fought for that medal. I was very proud of her.”
Spring Creek’s Lusk sisters took second (Rylie 19:50.9) and third (Kendra 20:21.9).
Emma Humes (20:36.8) from Moapa Valley finished fourth. Tahoe- Truckee’s Isabella Terrazas (20:37.2) was fifth, and Shelby Olson from Moapa Valley also medaled. Lowry’s Becca Kuskie (21:32.9) finished 17th.
“Becca was very competitive all season, placing toward the top in all of her races; she had a rough day today,” Norcutt said.
Christian Franklin from Valley won the boys 5,000 meter race in 16:22.2.
Buckaroo senior Will Kracaw (17:22.2) medaled with his fifth place finish.
“Will ran awesome again," added Norcutt. "He held off his rival George Skivington (17:26.2) from Spring Creek who finished seventh.”
Alex Klekas from Elko (16:53.5) finished second, while Tahoe-Truckee’s Montana Montgomery (17:03.5) and Calin Laine (17:07.5) were next. Valley’s Aidan White (17:24.6) took the other medal. Christian Olson from Lowry (18:29.5) finished 22nd out of the 55 racers.
“Christian was a dark horse to even make it to state this year,” Norcutt said. “But, it was one of his goals since the season started. That kid practiced with a purpose every day to get there. I could not be more proud of him.”
The NXR Southwest Regional Championship will be held in Casa Grande, AZ on Nov. 17, and Kracaw will be running there.
“We had a phenomenal season," Norcutt said. "The kids all came together as a team; we were solid in our competitions throughout the year. I was blessed to be a part of their journey.”
