SPARKS — The last time the Lowry High School girls cross country team won an individual state championship title, Jovi Kuskie was just two years old.
That all changed this past Saturday at Reed High School and Shadow Mountain Park in Sparks, when Kuskie, a Lowry senior, claimed the individual state championship as the lone Lady Buckaroo runner on the day.
“This means everything to me,” Kuskie said in tears after the race. “I have been training so hard and I have wanted this day to happen since my freshman year. Losing last year and having it canceled was tough, this means so much to me to be where I am now. I got stronger as the year went on and that was all part of my training.”
Kuskie was neck-and-neck with Moapa Valley’s Emma Humes for much of the 5K race, then she pulled away late to win with a time of 20 minutes, 17 seconds, on a cold, wet and windy day.
Humes, the Southern 3A champion, was second at 20:35.
“I knew she would give me a good race and be right beside me,” Kuskie said. “I knew she was coming with the same goal that I was. I wanted to let the race develop and give it all I can. I wanted to give that last kick at the end and she would stay with me. I was able to pull away and win and it’s all surreal right now. I am so happy.”
Kuskie qualified for the state championships her freshman season and was the state runner-up in 2019.
There was no 2020 state championship — being wiped out due to the pandemic.
“It was absolutely her best race of the year,” said LHS coach Kathy Norcutt. “It was the first time she was really challenged all year. I love that she ran so smart. She controlled much of the race. Emma made a little run on that first hill and Jovi responded. Jovi has a phenomenal kick and we were waiting for that at the end. We worked on that during the week. We practiced on opening it and it paid off. It was a great way for her to finish her career.
She has been focused and dedicated since her freshman year. I am so proud of her and it is amazing to see how her hard work turned into a state championship.”
The last individual state champion for the Lowry girls was felicia George in 2005.
Boulder City’s Mary Henderson was third at 20:36 and Virgin Valley’s Kelly Denninghoff (21:16) and Spring Creek’s Kiely Munson (21:17) rounded out the top five.
Spring Creek captured the team title with 50 points and Moapa Valley was second at 66.
Truckee (80), South Tahoe (85) and Somerset Sky Pointe (90), were third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
Lara finishes fifth for Buckaroos, team places fifth
The 3A boys race picked up the worst of the weather on the day, as Lowry’s Ivan Roa Lara placed fifth in the race at 17:57.
“Ivan had a great race today,” Norcutt said. “He was up front with the leaders for much of the race. I knew by looking at the times from the South that the Moapa Valley runners would be tough. They made a good kick at the end. Ivan had a fantastic year and should be proud of his finish.”
Moapa Valley had two of the top three finishers, including winner Cyrus Katich at 17:37. Spring Creek’s Joel Herman was second at 17:49 and Moa Valley’s Marcus Shambaugh (17:52) placed third. South Tahoe’s Max Menke was fourth in a time of 17:53.
Lowry senior Eduardo Martinez-Calderon was 12th in a time of 18:28, Kaid Sanchez stopped the clock at 19:33 to place 26th and Angel Huerta was 44th at 19:49. Lowry senior Tyler Morrison was 53rd with a time of 20:11.
“Strange things happen at a state meet,” added the coach. “Usually, the regional is the toughest meet of the year because you have to do well there to qualify for state. When you get to state, you are running with different runners. These boys are young and most of them are brand new to cross country. This the first time they have been to state. For five little guys grinding it out in the desert all year, I couldn’t be prouder of them. A lot of people didn’t expect them to get this far in the season and get to a state meet. It is all good.”
Spring Creek and Moapa Valley tied for the state championship with 48 points apiece, but Spring Creek won the team title, based on the sixth runner tiebreaker.
Somerset Sky Pointe was third with 86 points and Elko (111) and Lowry (117) rounded out the top five.
