Around this time of the year, the Lowry High School cross country team heads for Boise, Idaho, and the Bob Firman Invitational, a race considered one of the best in the West.
However, the invitational was canceled this year and the Buckaroos made their way to Truckee last Saturday for the Truckee Invitational that featured around 35 teams from California and Nevada.
Lowry senior, Jovi Kuskie finished third in the varsity race out of 134 runners in a time of 20 minutes, 1 second. Bishop Manogue sophomore Amaya Aramini won the race at 19:35 and Reno’s Thalia was second at 19:50.
“In the varsity girls division Jovi continued to shine,” said LHS coach Kathy Norcutt. “Jovi ran a smart race and let things develop. She got out quickly, stayed tough throughout the race and was able to have a fast finish at the end.”
Lowry junior Ryleigh Raabe ran in the varsity race for the Lady Bucks as well and finished with a time of 26:19.
“Ryleigh also had a great race,” added the coach. “Ryleigh is working through an injury but she continues to push herself and is improving each week.”
There were 17 girls team that recorded teams scores, with Reno winning the title with 73 points. Galena was second at 87 and Carson 142, Spanish Springs (155) and Colfax, Calif. (180) rounding out the top five. South Tahoe was the highest finishing Northern 3A team, placing 12th with 307 points.
The day began with the JV girls race where Lowry freshman Natalee Formby started things off for the Buckaroos. Formby ran a personal-best time of 25:48 to place 31st out of 95 runners.
“She looked very strong on the hills and did a great job of pushing herself today, Norcutt said.
Bishop Manogue’s Ava Luczkow won the race in a time of 21:45 and Galena won the team title with 59 points, beating Reno by 19 points.
On the boys side, Lowry finish eighth overall as a team with 273 points. Twenty-two teams in the boys division recorded a team score.
Reed took home the team title with 64 points, while Rocklin, Calif., was second at 97. Pleasant Valley, Calif., was third with 98 points and Spanish Springs (194) and Nevada Union, Calif. (206) rounded out the top five. The Buckaroos were the highest finishing 3A school.
“Our boys team really made us proud today,” Norcutt said. “They continue to work together and are refining their pack running. To finish eighth overall and ahead of some of those larger schools is really an accomplishment.”
The Buckaroos were once again paced by senior Eduardo Martinez Calderon who posted a time 18:36 to finish 37th overall out of 170 runners.
Teammate Ivan Lara, was just a couple spots back in 40th with a time of 18:44. The third runner in for Lowry was senior Angel Huerta in 19:26.
Kaid Sanchez was next in 19:46 and followed by sophomore Austin Formby, who posted a time of 19:55 and senior Tyler Morrison rounded out the team with a time 20:52.
“Our boys continue to push each other and hold each other accountable,” Norcutt said. “It’s exciting to watch them work together as a team.”
