Fort Worth Western Hills runner eyes state meet

By John English

Special to the Star-Telegram

Raphael Posada loves to push himself to the absolute limit.

Whether it is running twice as much as he is required to or asking his coach to enter 5A cross country meets so he can take on the best possible athletes, the Fort Worth Western Hills distance runner wants to be the best he can possible be.

Coach Jake Bean said that he is impressed with Posada's season and said the objective for this season is an appearance at state.

"He has been having an outstanding season," Bean said. "Pretty much every meet we have gone to, he has shaved off 30 to 45 seconds from similar meets last year. He is working harder than he ever has before, and it's paid off."

Posada, a junior this year, finished 13th at the Birdville Flyin' Hawks Invitational this past weekend, and Bean said he was satisfied with Posada's performance.

"I was very happy with how he did," Bean said. "He is running against a bunch of really talented 5A runners. The Flower Mound Marcus kids were there and a bunch of other really fast runners. At this same meet last year, I think he ran a 16:20 or 16:30. For him to drop that much is incredible.

"The best part about it is that I don't think he has quite peaked just yet. He has run quite well, but I still think he can kick it up a notch."

Bean said he believes Posada is primed for a run at an appearance at the state meet this year, but added it will take a couple of things.

"I think he's got a very solid chance," Bean said. "He's going to have to run a really good race, but that's all he's been focused on since the end of the season last year.

"He's an extremely motivated young man. I give him practices we run as a team in the morning, and then he typically goes on his own after school. I do have to pull him back sometimes."

The district meet is coming up on Oct. 26, and Bean said he believes this is a great opportunity for Posada.

"As the times go, he has the best time in the district," Bean said. "He's going to have to run a really good race, but he's got a really good chance of winning."

Keller Central girls win their meet

The Keller Central girls cross country team won their home meet on Saturday, edging second-place Trophy Club Nelson.

Samantha Ottman finished second at the meet with a time of 19:24.34, while Tracie Lee finished in third place with a time of 19:58.53.

Ashley Dush was sixth overall with a time of 20:42.59, while Ceci Price was right on her heels in seventh place with a time of 20:54.15.

The Central boys finished third at the same meet.

Paschal boys second

The FW Paschal boys finished second as a team at the Birville Flyin' Hawks Invitational on Saturday. The Panthers were led by Edgar Martinez, who finished third overall at the competition, and Eleazar Martinez, who was in 15th place.

Mansfield girls win home meet

Finishing with five of the top 20 runners at their home meet, the Mansfield girls cross country team won the Tiger Invitational with a score of 73.

Shanice Prevot finished eighth with a time of 20:16.26, Sami Grenard finished 14th with a time of 20:36.50, and Brianna Erickson, Megan Reynolds, and McKayla Paulson finished 16th, 17th, and 18th respectively at the meet.

Erickson ran a time of 20:39.74, Reynolds finished with a time of 20:43.72 and Paulson finished 18th with a time of 20:51.81.

The Mansfield boys finished third at the Tiger Invitational.

Martin takes Mansfield meet

Arlington Martin won the Mansfield Tiger Invitational on the boys side on Friday with a score of 64, three points ahead of second place Keller.

Cameron Villarreal won the meet with a time of 15:46.89 and Grayson Birka, who finished seventh with a time of 16:37.05.

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