Lady Cubs runners step up to fill void

The Olney High School Cross Country team looks to keep its momentum going after a successful outing  at its home meet.

Following their first team win at their home meet Aug. 24, the Lady Cubs will need to improve their times in order to fill a void after losing top runner Anahi Marquez, who injured herself during a gymnastics competition last week.

“We lost her for a week or two,” Olney coach Dickie Scott said. “She was tumbling and popped her back a little. It’s nothing serious.  Everyone is going to have to move up a spot. Her big sister (senior Marisol Marquez) is going to have to take her spot. Everyone is going to have to jump up a spot.”

The Lady Cubs will return to action Saturday, at Lucy Park, for a meet in Wichita Falls, but will need improved times in order to fill in for Marquez.

“We’re going to have to train a lot harder,” first-year junior runner Leslie Acuna said. “We’re going to have to work as a group and be confident in what we’re doing.”

Confidence may come easy for the Lady Cubs, who recently had seven runners finish a mile under seven minutes in practice, which Scott said was the first time that took place this season. The improved speed will greatly benefit the Lady Cubs this weekend, considering the Lucy Park course offers many flat-ground sections that caters to speed.

“It’s one of my favorite courses,” senior runner Kodee Scott said. “It’s kind of flat. It’s a nursery so it’s fun to look at and entertaining as a runner. It also makes it easier, as a runner, to see your goal or someone ahead of you. I always run better there.”

Kodee Scott said cross country tends to break down the body as the season progresses and now is the time for the Lady Cubs to closely monitor their diet, training regiment and other factors in order to remain successful, improve times and avoid injuries.

“We have to be careful,” Scott said. “We have to be more alert, inside and outside of school. You have to keep a subconscious awareness of it.”