Lady Jacket Juliana Stanley recorded a sixth place finish with a time of 12:37 to lead Mineola’s girls cross country team to a second place finish at the Commerce Invitational Aug. 24. Mineola and Quitman high schools opened their cross country seasons this past weekend.

Each of the Lady Jacket runners finished with excellent times to capture the trophy. Shylah Kratzmeyer, Hannah Zoch and Alyssa Lankford ran sub-14 minute races, while Kapri Riley, Keilee Riley and Emily Wiley recorded sub-15 minute finishes.

According to University Interscholastic League (UIL) athletic policy, the distance for girls cross country races in classes 1A – 4A is approximately two miles. Boys in all classes and girls in class 5A-6A run approximately three miles.

The Mineola boys team finished 15th and were led by Carlos Galaz who ran a time of 18:17. David Amador, Dalton Crowson, Cris Alejo, Royer Marques and Omar Galaz round out the boys team.

Coach David Smith spoke enthusiastically about his competitors, “The girls did a super job finishing second overall. We are excited about both groups and the potential they have.”

The Lady Bulldogs achieved a seventh place finish at the Union Grove Invitational. Alexa Flores led the squad consisting of Madyson Pence, Joanna Santiago, Citlaly Flores, Bonnie VanderSchaaf and Lizzy Herring.

The Quitman boys cross country team finished in ninth place out of 14 teams at Union Grove. All six Bulldog runners bettered their times over those recorded at Union Grove one year ago. Aiden Corrior led the team of fellow athletes Riley Flanagan, Brandon Jimenez, Diego Osornio, Matthew Smith and Jace Reid.

Quitman Coach Jim Reid was especially pleased with his squad as he described the Union Grove course as “quite possibly the toughest course of the year.” The Union Grove course features a little bit of everything with which a runner may have to contend.

According to Union Grove head cross country coach J.B. Littlejohn, footing ranges from pavement to dirt, gravel and grass. The terrain subtleties also challenge the athletes, as the course has two substantial 4 percent grades near the start and finish. Littlejohn stated the grades “teach the runners not to be mentally defeated.” Lastly, the course contains both open pasture areas as well as tightly-confined treks through heavy vegetation.

Littlejohn commented that the Union Grove course most closely approximates the course used to conduct the UIL state cross country championships.