Lady Cubs confident despite setback

Although taking sixth place in a meet filled with elite teams, Olney Cross Country coach Dickie Scott felt last week’s finish was a bit of a disappointment.

The Lady Cubs finished behind Nocona, Bowie, Munday and Herietta at the Lucy Park.

“I hammered them pretty hard,” Scott said. “It’s not their fault, by no means, they ran as hard as they could. They were ready mentally, but not physically and that is my fault.”

Scott admitted he ran his team very hard in order to continue making progress on their times as the season draws to an end. Despite disappointing finish, Scott said it gives him hope for the district meet in Seymour next Wednesday. Scott added the return of top runner Annahi Marquez, who did not run at Lucy Park, will greatly benefit the team.

“It helps, she ran good Monday morning,” Scott said. “She had a little bit of discomfort. She struggled a bit the last bit of her run today, but nothing that will slow her down. She hadn’t run in 12 days , but she’s a good enough athlete and tough enough to get back in shape. By Friday, she’ll be back in shape.”

Marquez may need all of the training she can get before heading into the district race at Seymour, which Scott said can challenge runners with its big hills, especially the last hill of the course.

“It’s a tough course,” Scott said. “It has two big hills, but it’s all paved except for the start.”

The Lady Cubs seniors believe they are prepared for the race, despite last week’s let down.

“We’re being a lot more positive overall and have a better outlook as far as practices go,” senior Kodee Scott said.

Each of the Lady Cubs is well aware of the challenges they face next Wednesday at Seymour and believe they have what it takes to move all the way to the state meet. 

“I feel we have that mentality that we are going to go to state this year,” Marisol Marquez said. “A lot of our girls are stepping up this year. We are all under 15 (minutes in two miles). One of us got 13 today. We’re really going to make our goal this year.”

Senior runner Christine Hiatt also feels confident heading into the postseason, but knows that in order to get there, the Lady Cubs must first advance past district and that all comes down to the final hill on the Seymour course.

“You have to gear up and have some guts to hit that last hill strong,” said senior runner Christine Hiatt. “You go up that very last part and everyone is in a sprint. You are just dead legged. Even though you are hurting you still have to try.”