The LJCD cross country team competed in the Bronco Roundup at Kit Carson Park
The LJCD cross country team competed in the Bronco Roundup at Kit Carson Park. Despite the clouds offering a little relief from the sun, it was another hot and humid day for running. The Torreys are getting used to such conditions and saw several nice results on the 2 mile course.
The girls varsity was our 1st race of the morning. Freshmen Isabel Miralles nearly earned a top-10 finish in just her 2nd race, finishing 11th in 13:13. Sophomore Lexi Watkins got off to another great start, but again experienced tight calves that slowed her down. She earned a medal with her 20th place finish in 13:31, and this time matches the Torreys’ best time last year. Senior Gabi Smotrich was the next Torrey finisher, in 14:39, and junior Nicole Parry was close behind in 14:58. With two of our seven injured, senior Caitlin Keane was our 5th and final finisher, in 15:15. This time was nearly 30 seconds faster than the last time Caitlin raced here, as a sophomore. The girls finished 6th out of 10 D-2 teams (smaller schools), and were the top D-5 finisher.
The boys varsity race was a solo affair for the Torreys. With four varsity runners out for various reasons, only senior Jackson Daugherty raced against the other D-2 varsity runners, while sophomores Nikko Sambold and Alex Smith toed the line against other sophomores and freshmen. Jackson earned a medal with his 25th place finish, in 11:26.
Our last race of the day was the 9th/10th JV race, which was one of larger races of the day with 153 runners. Though Nikko didn’t run XC last year, he is racing like an experienced runner, thanks no doubt to his track season and some solid summer training. Nikko earned his first medal with his 15th place finish in 12:15. Alex also earned a medal, finishing 23rd in 12:33. Not far behind him with a strong finish was freshman Nico Barrera, 32nd place in 12:54. Freshman Nikolas Kovtun and sophomore Maxx Song finished in 13:22 (50th) and 13:27 (55th), concluding the team scoring. William Bonitz-Newman completed the day’s racing with his 14:22 finish. The boys finished 4th out of 16 D-2 teams, and while one can’t read much into an early season JV race, the way our young runners have raced so far is very encouraging.
