Runners set personal records at Wichita Falls meet

The Cubs and Lady Cubs competed in the Endurance House XC Stampede 2023 in Wichita Falls Sept. 6.

All the Cubs and Lady Cubs ran hard in the cross country events and were led by Julius Key, the only Olney High School student to finish with a top 10 result. His time in the 5K was 20:02.51. It was his best timing yet and he placed ninth.

“I think it's very competitive but fun,” Key said. ”Although I would prefer around seven minutes.”

Jaxxon Laurent came in 51st place with a time of 22:11.09. Caden Lane finished 89th place with 24:36.07, followed by Zach Organ in 109th place with a time of 27:48.72.

The best result for the Lady Cubs was Morgan Simmons who came in 52nd place with a time of 15:51.81 for the 3200m run.

She said her goal is to be in the top 10. She hopes to reach a 13 minute time for a two-mile run, and she thinks she can reach that by the end of the season.

“I think cross country is a positive environment that is uplifting,” Simmons said. “The coaches and team are willing to work at all times to the best of their ability.”

She said her teammate Ava Stewart “is the best at cross because she is very determined and gives everything she has during the races.”

Stewart came in 57th place with a time of 16:00.85. She said that was a personal record for this year, although her main goal is to beat her personal record of 14:35 from last year.

“I love doing cross even though it is pretty brutal. It gives you a strong mental mindset and makes you push yourself out of your comfort zone,” Stewart said.

Stewart returned teammate Simmons’ compliment. “I think the person who is best at cross is Morgan Simmons because she always starts out really fast, which helps her later on in the race.”

Taylor Lawrence came in 76th place with the time of 17:08.84.

Mallory Jeske finished 94th place with a time of 17:47.42. She said that’s her best time for this year. She wants to push herself to beat that time.

“Cross country is a challenging sport that is not for anyone who dislikes putting in effort,” Mallory said. “I would have liked a 16 minute two mile.”