LHS runners gain valuable course experience
By JEREMY HEATH Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY GABE WOLF Lampasas High School senior cross country runner Courtney Carpenter finished 22nd in a field of 62 runners to lead the Lady Badgers at the Battlin' Badger Invitational on Friday.

The Lampasas boys' and girls' cross country teams now have a pretty good idea what they'll need to do in order to advance beyond the District 25-4A Meet on Oct. 22.

Friday morning, the Badger and Lady Badger runners logged some real-time experience on the course that stands between all 25-4A runners and the Region IV-4A Meet. A scheduling change earlier in the year moved the district meet from Burnet to Lampasas, so Friday's 2007 Battlin' Badger Invitational was a precursor to that competition.

LHS head coach Trent Lancaster made some changes to this year's courses, taking Hancock Park Golf Course out of the mix and adding a longer stretch through the park. The 5K boys' course and two-mile girls' course proved challenging.

"I like the course, and think I'll keep it identical to today's course for district," Lancaster said.

Brandon Willie (right) finished ninth, and Ryan Tedford finished 12th to pace the Badgers. The LHS boys' team finished fifth, and the girls finished sixth on the same course that will play host to the District 25-4A Meet on Oct. 22.

Vista Ridge runners liked the course as well, as they claimed team titles in varsity boys and girls, and junior varsity boys and girls divisions. Lampasas finished fifth in varsity boys and sixth in varsity girls in the team standings.

Vista Ridge junior Zach Ornelas scorched the field to win the boys' individual crown in 15:38, 58 seconds faster than second-place Rolando Limon from Fredericksburg.

In the field of 61 varsity boys, sophomore Brandon Willie recorded the highest finish for Lampasas, crossing the finish line ninth in 17:27. Senior Ryan Tedford placed 12th, four seconds behind Willie.

Willie's strategy was to stay in Tedford's pocket, but in the final quarter of a mile his legs felt good so he pushed past Tedford.

"All the hill work really helped me a lot," Willie said. "I'm just doing what I do in my workouts and trying to compete to the best of my ability. It really helped to have all my teammates cheering me on. I couldn't do it without them."

LHS' David Bloomfield finished 28th in 18:36. Todd Young placed 33rd in 18:46, his first time under the 19-minute mark. Michael Fisher claimed 35th place with a 18:53. Chris Sanders finished 37th in 18:57, followed immediately by teammate Jonathan Lohman in 19:01.

Among the field of 62 varsity girls runners, senior Courtney Carpenter paced the Lady Badgers, finishing 22nd in 14:00.

Carpenter did her training last week on a stationary bike because of an ankle injury.

"What I always do when I run is black out -- get into a zone," she said. "Since I'm a dancer, I keep an eightcount in my head, and try to have my left foot come down on all the odd counts. Sometimes I hum or sing to myself, but that's just me. I'm kind of weird like that."

Freshman Tiffany Fagg passed four runners in the final stretch to finish 23rd with a time of 14:04.

"Tiffany's a very talented runner," Lancaster said. "She was sick early in the season and got behind on her training. Now it looks like she's starting to catch up. I'm very pleased with her performance."

Sophomore Jontell Ritz finished 26th in 14:06. Senior Molly Rogers placed 30th in 14:15.

Freshman Bailey Chambers finished 39th with a time of 14:52, and Bethany Brice finished 48th in 15:19.

For the junior varsity boys, Ryan Wiebe finished 18th in 20:35, and Ryan Delacruz took 21st with a 20:45. Rico Delacruz was 38th in 21:36, and Corey Pillow placed 42nd in 22:06.

In junior varsity girls, 33 LHS runners competed. Lady Badgers varsity basketball coach Mitzi Lancaster entered her players as a conditioning tuneup for the season, which starts Nov. 6.

Jennifer Howard paced the JV, placing 12th with a time of 14:35, and Kristen Martinez finished 24th in 15:31.