Zillah Leopards cross country dominates at Connell Invite
- By Kathy Johnson
- Published 10/2/2008
- Sports
- Unrated
Showing that they have what it takes to win big, the Zillah Leopards boys’ cross country team won the 1A division at the Connell Invitational with a score of 98 points which turned out to be the top score in all four of the classifications. The top finishers in each race were awarded ribbons and first place teams received trophies.
Led by Johnny Barnes and Blake Bergener in 17:19, 11th and 12th respectively the team ran in a tight pack over the 3.1 mile course contending with a large field of 120 competitors. Sean Ekstrand was 19th-17:45, Daniel Estrada 24th -18:13, Cody Dunbar 32nd -18:24, Brendan Shearer 38th -18:39, and Daylen Isaac 52nd -19:14.
In junior varsity action Jose Mendoza was victorious with a time of 19:03, Ian Williams ran a very close second in 19:04, also in the top 15 were Scott Thomas 10th -19:59 and freshman Oliver Ames 15th-20:31. Also competing were Isaac Estrada 20:32, Luke Thomas 20:45, Troy Dunbar 21:22, Wren Whittum 21:45, Elvis Ruvalcaba 23:09, Carson Bounds 23:09. and Sergio Sanchez 25:09.
Korie Duce continues to lead the Lady Leopard pack as the highest finisher with a 14th place in 22:03, Bayli Zeigler was 20th-22;29, Abby Nelson 31st -23:17, Emma Tuning 37th-23:29, Abbie Ziegler 49th- 24:24, Britten Ellis 53rd-24:28, and rounding out the top seven Erica Moreno 73rd-26:17.
All four junior varsity girls placed in the top 15 and received ribbons they were led by freshman Janelle Howard 7th, Paige Brady was 10th, Samantha Clarence was 11th, and Alexa Torrez was 15th.
Also competing at the invitational in the 1.5 mile middle school race and placing in the top 15 were Kody Johnson 3rd-9:45, Kasey Johnson 7th-9:58 in the boys race and Jessica Walker 2nd -11:28, and Madeline Dunbar 6th, 13:12 in the girls race.
“We suffered a little in the heat but were able to run great times despite the high temperatures, I saw a lot of determination in our finish kicks, and the JV stepped it up out there,” Johnson enthused, “many of the athletes went home with ribbons. We had a great meet.”
This week the team travels to Wahluke to start their league competition on Thursday, October 2nd, and then to Yakima on Saturday, October 4th for the Sunfair Invitational.
Led by Johnny Barnes and Blake Bergener in 17:19, 11th and 12th respectively the team ran in a tight pack over the 3.1 mile course contending with a large field of 120 competitors. Sean Ekstrand was 19th-17:45, Daniel Estrada 24th -18:13, Cody Dunbar 32nd -18:24, Brendan Shearer 38th -18:39, and Daylen Isaac 52nd -19:14.
In junior varsity action Jose Mendoza was victorious with a time of 19:03, Ian Williams ran a very close second in 19:04, also in the top 15 were Scott Thomas 10th -19:59 and freshman Oliver Ames 15th-20:31. Also competing were Isaac Estrada 20:32, Luke Thomas 20:45, Troy Dunbar 21:22, Wren Whittum 21:45, Elvis Ruvalcaba 23:09, Carson Bounds 23:09. and Sergio Sanchez 25:09.
Korie Duce continues to lead the Lady Leopard pack as the highest finisher with a 14th place in 22:03, Bayli Zeigler was 20th-22;29, Abby Nelson 31st -23:17, Emma Tuning 37th-23:29, Abbie Ziegler 49th- 24:24, Britten Ellis 53rd-24:28, and rounding out the top seven Erica Moreno 73rd-26:17.
All four junior varsity girls placed in the top 15 and received ribbons they were led by freshman Janelle Howard 7th, Paige Brady was 10th, Samantha Clarence was 11th, and Alexa Torrez was 15th.
Also competing at the invitational in the 1.5 mile middle school race and placing in the top 15 were Kody Johnson 3rd-9:45, Kasey Johnson 7th-9:58 in the boys race and Jessica Walker 2nd -11:28, and Madeline Dunbar 6th, 13:12 in the girls race.
“We suffered a little in the heat but were able to run great times despite the high temperatures, I saw a lot of determination in our finish kicks, and the JV stepped it up out there,” Johnson enthused, “many of the athletes went home with ribbons. We had a great meet.”
This week the team travels to Wahluke to start their league competition on Thursday, October 2nd, and then to Yakima on Saturday, October 4th for the Sunfair Invitational.