The Lowry High School cross country team made its way back in the mountains last Saturday in Truckee, Calif., beating the nasty weather that later hit the Sierra Nevada’s.
“The kids had a great day of running and we managed to get done before the storm hit,” said LHS coach Kathy Norcutt. “The kids ran hard against both 3A and 4A schools.”
Jovi Kuskie continued her strong sophomore campaign, finishing second in the 3.1-mile race with a time of 20 minutes, 42 seconds. Bishop Manogue senior Madison Krivan won the race at 20:18. Carson’s Hannah Kaiser (21:16) was third and Truckee’s Isabella Terrazas (21:23), Amelia Swanson (21:46) and Soney Strusinski (21:56) were fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.
“Jovi ran a great race and the girl that beat her was a senior,” added the coach. “Jovi is really mentally tough. She races hard every time she gets on the course.”
Lowry junior Adia Bengochea was seventh overall with a time of 22:01. Kinsey Albisu-Leibfried placed 18th at 23:27 and Makayla Leveille finished 37th in a time of 25:17.
“Adia ran a great race,” Norcutt said. “She continues to learn how to run these 5K’s. She’s really a strong runner. Kinsey has been pushing hard in practice and Makayla is also working hard on improving her speed."
Lowry did not have enough runners for a team score, which Truckee won with 21 points. Carson was second at 43 and Douglas (73) and Fernley(99) rounded out the standings.
Lowry had two girls run in the junior varsity race, with Taylor Hawkins finishing 14th with a time of 26:13. Ryleigh Raabe was 21st at 28:11. Reno freshman Kochia Krum won the race with a time of 22:33.
“Both of them continue to improve each week,” Norcutt said. “I am proud of their progress.”
On the boys side, Lowry junior Jeremy Walker paced the Buckaroos with a 16th-place finish in a time of 18:18. Dylan Nee stopped the watch at 21:26 to place 66th and Christopher Esparza (22:46) and Erick Prado (22:47) were one second apart at the finish line.
“Jeremy was a minute faster than last year,” Norcutt said. “He is really running tough. Dylan continues to work hard in practice and is running well. Chris and Erick were pack running and battled it each other to the end.”
Sierra Lutheran’s Teagan Hansen won the race with a time of 17:07 and Carson’s Zachary Sever (17:15) was second.
Incline’s Niklas Pietxke (17:25) placed third and Truckee’s Benjamin Picard (17:36) and Carson’s Walker MacKenzie (17:52) rounded out the top five.
As it was with the girls, Lowry did not race a full team. Douglas claimed the team title with 39 points and Truckee was second at 60.
The Lowry boys ran a majority of its runners in the junior varsity race, with Jesse Hawkins placing 29th in a time of 21:37.
Tyler Morrison finished 33rd at 21:55 and Cal Peters was 36th with a time of 22:04. Tyler Carpenter placed 52nd at 23:41 and Kalib Gordon was 65th in a time of 26:15.
“Jesse ran a minute faster than he did last year and continues to improve each week,” added the coach. “Cal had a fantastic race. He didn’t have a great start but worked his way up the entire race. Tyler and Kalib continue to work hard as well”
Truckee claimed three of the top four spots, with Canyon Blassingame (19:26) and Sage Boyer (19:29) finishing first and second.
Lowry was sixth in the team standings with 150 points, while Truckee was first with 29 points.
Lowry takes part in the Reed Invitational on Friday and hosts its meet on Friday, Oct. 11, at 3 p.m.
“It is so fun to watch these kids,” Norcutt said. “They are competitive and focused when they race. They are continually striving to improve each week. I am lucky to coach such great kids.”
