Yantis cross country runners are continuing to improve their times as they work toward the district meet Oct. 15.
Coach Carlos Lopez said the junior high and high school boys and girls have shown steady improvement throughout the season, which was one of the goals set for the program at the beginning of the year.
“I would say the season this year is aligning with the goals that we set out at the beginning of the season, which was to always have consistent growth,” Lopez said.
Runners began the season with individual goals, and Lopez said he has seen times improve from meet to meet.
“I am very happy with the work that our boys and girls continue to put in each practice and competition, and their desire to never settle and always keep pushing in a sport that is very tough on you physically and mentally,” Lopez said.
Freshman Rydan Friddle has been one of the Owls top runners this season. Friddle, who also competed for Yantis in junior high, has medaled in four of the first five races of the season.
Lopez said one of Friddle’s strengths is his ability to get out quickly and stay near the front of the field.
“His starts at the races have always been one of his strong suits, always getting to the front of the pack and keeping that strong pace from start to finish,” Lopez said.
Lopez also pointed to Friddle’s work ethic.
“In a sport that demands so much of you physically and mentally, he shows his work ethic every day, and the results speak for themselves,” Lopez said.
While Friddle has had a strong start to the season, Lopez said leadership has come from throughout the team.
Runners encourage one another before, during and after races, he said, and that support continues during practices. Team members also make a point to congratulate each other when someone sets a new personal record.
“It honestly is a great sight to see,” Lopez said.
Yantis is back in Class 1A this year, where Lopez expects Saltillo and Avery to be among the Owls toughest competition at district.
“Saltillo has always had a strong history when it comes to making teams that are successful during the cross country season, and Avery always has some strong runners this season as well,” Lopez said.
The district meet will be held Oct. 15 at Avery ISD.
“It will surely be a tough district meet at Avery ISD, but I believe with the consistent and hard work that our runners are putting in each week, they will be ready to compete with the best,” Lopez said.
For the remaining weeks of the season, Lopez said he wants to continue seeing runners lower their times.
With several new runners and others returning after the summer, Lopez established a baseline early in the season and set a realistic goal time for each athlete to work toward.
“What I would like to see is my runners continue to improve their run times as we inch closer to our district meet on Oct. 15 and hopefully reach their goal time that we set out for them. If they continue to stay disciplined, hold each other and themselves accountable, and keep that resilience that has helped them all the way up to this point, there is no doubt in my mind that they will reach their own personal goals,” Lopez said.
He also hopes some of his runners can work their way into the top 10 at upcoming meets.
They “may even surprise themselves and some people by finishing in that top 10 club at a meet that everyone wants to be a part of,” Lopez said.