Public Not the Enemy Again for LHS Cross Country

Redskins 4th and Lady Skins 7th at State
Both the Redskins and Lady Redskins Cross Country Teams traveled to Lawrence Kansas Saturday for the State Championships. Lawrence has the famed Rim Rock Farm Cross Country course that hosts the 3A, 5A, and 6A championship races. The course is known for its scenery and large hills. The top 12 teams in the state, along with 20 of the top individuals not on a qualifying team, get to compete in the state championship.

For the second straight year, the LHS boys were the best cross country team of the public schools.
The boys ran the second race of the day and ran great. The Redskins were led by Sophomore Angel Viveros, who came in to the meet with a lot of momentum. Viveros’ last two meets were victorious winning the WAC and Regional championships. Angel had am amazing race finishing with a time of 16:40 on one of the states slowest courses, this earned him All-state honors and a fourth place finish. Liberal’s other All-state runner was Senior Fidel Munoz. Munoz was the twelfth runner to cross the line with a time of 17:04. Junior Daniel Frazier was the next Redskin runner who ran a personal record time of 17:23 and a 26th place finish. Liberals fourth runner was Senior Eric Minjarez who ran a 17:57 and came in 53rd place. Freshman Obed Quintana and Sophomore Ricardo Bustos Ran 55th and 56th place, with times of 18:01, and 18:02. Junior Marco Espinoza ran an 18:33, and crossed the line in 78th place. The Redskins ended the day as the 4th best team in the state. The top 7 teams in the state included Bishop Carroll who won their third consecutive state championship, St. Thomas Aquinas, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Liberal, Topeka-Seaman, Blue Valley, and Great Bend.
The Girls ran the 5th race of the day and came into the meet not ranked in the top ten even after winning their Regionals and beating several teams with higher rankings. The goal the girls had was to run their race, have fun, and get respect. They did all three. The Lady Skins were led by Junior Destyni Lucero who ran a 16:41 for the 4K course and was the 28th girl to cross the line. Sophomore Mercy Perez was 45th with a time of 17:11. Freshman Alexandria Chandler ran a 17:30 and was 54th. Sophomore McKenzie Wright ran a 17:34 and was 57th place. Freshman Janette Borunda came in 65th place with a time of 17:50. Sophomore Kim Francis crossed the line in 19:18 and in 96th place. Freshman Vanny DiazDeLeon ran a 19:46 and came in 99th place. The young Lady Skins, who will return everyone from their varsity team, earned some respect after beating 5 of the teams ranked ahead of them. The top 7 girl’s teams in the state were Bishop Carroll, St. Thomas Aquinas, Lansing, Winfield, Valley Center, Goddard Eisenhower, and Liberal.