Published: October 28, 2009 12:55 pm      

’Cat runners win district titles

By SCOTT TYLER

Sports Editor



FAIRFIELD — Palestine cross country coach John Absalom wanted to see five runners in both the varsity boys and girls District 20-3A races finish in the top 10.

Absalom got more than what he wanted.

The Palestine varsity boys and girls teams each had six runners finish in the top 10 to win the District 20-3A titles Wednesday morning at Fairfield High School.

“We performed at a high level and fought to the end,” Absalom said. “Our goal was to have five get in the top 10 so we went above our goal and I am proud of that.”

It is the fourth straight district title for the Palestine boys and the third straight for the Palestine girls.

Both teams advance to the Class 3A-Region III meet at North Harris College in Humble on Nov. 7.

Running on a wet and muddy course at Fairfield, both Palestine teams took two through five in their respective races to capture the district title.

“It took mental toughness and preparation,” Absalom said of running in the muddy conditions. “They all have to run on the same course so you can’t let it bog you down. We stepped up to the plate and got it done.”

The Palestine boys won the district title with 21 points as all seven runners finished in the top 12.

Wilfredo Martinez led the way with a second place finish and a time of 17:43.6. Santos Chavez was third (17:52.2), Denis Quincin was fourth (18:00) and Felipe Gutierrez was fifth (18:03.3). Zachery Anthony took seventh (18:10.4), Alexander Meyers was 10th (18:11.4) and Timmy Klausen was 12th (18:28.7).

For the Palestine girls, the Ladycats won district with 21 points. Kailea Hull led the way with a second place finish with a time of 12:58.9. Sara Bates (13:28.1), Terenika Farris (13:47) and Tania Guitz (13:54.9) finished third through fifth respectively. Jessica Garcia was seventh (14:12.9), Nadia Umanzor was eighth (14:16) and Katie Webb was 15th (14:49.4).

The Westwood Panthers had a runner qualify for the regional meet. John Almaraz finished in the top 10, taking ninth place with a time of 18:11.1, to make it to regionals.

Westwood’s Pedro Umanzor was 28th (20:50.6), Kyle Carroll finished 29th (20:51.4), Daniel Mendoza was 34th (21:51), Garrett Harbough took 36th (22:05.9), Lennis Lopez was 38th (22:39.8) and Jose Almaraz was 39th (25:47.6).

For the Westwood girls, Randi Bernas was 12th (14:33.9), Nyreshia Jones was 20th (15:30.9), Sarah George took 29th (16:15.9), Jasmine McDaniel was 31st (16:27.5) and Lauren Brewer was 32nd (17:18.8).