Cross country roundup: Keller Timber Creek impressive at Keller Invitational
The Keller Timber Creek boys cross country team had an impressive showing at the Keller Invitational this past week, winning the competition by edging out second place Keller Central by five points.
Five of Timber Creek’s runners finished in the top 11 at the meet, and coach Dan Strong said it was a good effort from his team, especially considering their circumstances.
“The boys team did very well,” Strong said. “We sat probably three or four of our top seven, and we were able to get some other kids in there and get some varsity experience. Even with sitting those guys, I felt like everybody that competed raced at a really high level. I think that we have more depth and parity on the varsity side than we’ve had in the past two years.”
Mauricio Padilla (16:21.18) led the way for Timber Creek, finishing fourth overall, along with John Ybarra (16:49.94), Walter Reed (16:50.12), Camron Watson (16:50.28) and Adrian Allotey (16:50.84) finished eighth through 11th at the meet.
Strong said that it was reassuring to see the effort at Keller because it has been hard to build consistency this year due of a issue that has effected his runners.
“This season has been a little odd in that we have kind of had to battle with a few illnesses,” Strong said. “The illness bug usually strikes at the same time, but not this season, and we have not been able to run our top seven boys at the same time and the same meet. But I actually think the good thing to come from that is that everybody on varsity, which is 10 or 11 boys, have gotten to run at some big meets at meaningful times.”
Timber Creek finished sixth in the state last season as a team, and Strong said it will take a couple of things to continue the type of success his team enjoyed at the Keller Invitational this past weekend and hopefully make another run like it did last year.
“I think we are capable of having another strong season, but I don’t think we’re there yet,” Strong said. “This season, is more like the first time we went to state about five years ago, where we were not ready to go and compete at state until the regional meet. It took us that long to get there.
“But I see some of the same characteristics in these guys this season, and if they can continue to work hard, they can get there.”
The Chargers featured the top two runners at the meet with Eric Casarez (15:53.62) and Michah Langat (15:58.75), along with the fifth-place finisher in David Torkington (16:28.25).
Keller High School finished third at the meet on the boys side.
Decatur girls win Keller Invitational
The Decatur girls won the the 5A and 6A division of the Keller Invitational this past weekend, beating out second place Keller by one point.
The Lady Eagles had three runners finish in the top 10 at the meet, including Jessica Kyle (19:20.22) who finished third, Elizabeth Culpepper (20:01.15) who finished seventh, and Georgina Palomo (20:04.78) who finished ninth at the meet.
Mansfield girls cruise at FW Invitational
The Mansfield girls took first place in the 5A and 6A division of the Fort Worth Invitational this past weekend, finishing with a total of 26 points, 50 points ahead of second place Saginaw.
Alessia Williams (19:18.24) won an individual championship, while Anara Ickes (20:16.50) finished third in the competition.
Hannah Allred (20:44.58), Alyssa Ramirez (20:45.93) and Jenisse Williams (21:01.72) finished fifth, seventh and 10th respectively at the meet.
Top Performers Boys
1. Justin Domangue, Alvarado, won the Elite Boys division of the Marcus II Invitational with a time of 15:41.70.
2. Spencer Doyle, FW Bethesda Christian, finished third in the 5A and 6A division at the Keller Invitational with a time of 16:15.28.
3. Harrison Tillman, Aledo, won the 5A and 6A division of the Fort Worth Invitational with a time of 16:27.18
Girls
1. Ashley Johnson, Arlington Martin, won the Elite Girls division of the Marcus II Invitational with a time of 18:07.31.
2. Shelmith Matongo, Grapevine, finished second in the 5A and 6A division of the Keller Invitational with a time of 19:13.06.
3. Allison Bryant, FW Nolan, finished second in the 5A and 6A division of the Fort Worth Invitational with a time of 19:50.51.
This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Cross country roundup: Keller Timber Creek impressive at Keller Invitational."