Cross country runners place well at meet

Lometa cross country runners ran on their home turf at Lometa Regional Park in their most recent meet.

"This is the first year to hold a meet at the park," said Coach Brandy Eckermann. "We had a lot of fans show up, and it was a big success."

Eckermann thanked the city for granting use of the park facilities, as well as those who volunteered their time to help stage the meet. "Without volunteers, this meet would be hard to put on."

Lometa teams competed well, the coach said. Varsity girls placed fourth overall behind Early, Coleman and Brady.

Maria Jasso placed third, and Taylor Bradley was eighth.

Elisha Whisenhunt came in 24th, and Maribel Reyes was 32nd, followed by Hannah Purser in 41st place.

In the varsity boys' division, Junior Castruita took 14th place, while Lucas Kemp was 15th.

There were 88 participants in the junior high girls' division, and Lometa girls ran good times, the coach said.

Esmeralda Jasso ran a 15:34; Adrianna Hernandez, 18:09; Noalle Skipper, 18:27; Taylor Mitchell, 18:58; and Monica Bridges, 20:47.

"This is their second meet, and for only running twice a week, the girls' times are improving," said Eckermann.

In the junior high boys' division, Dylan Straley placed third; Coty Hand took eighth place; and Chris Scarbrough was ninth.