Johnson City cross country performs well at Vista Ridge Invitational
CAPTION: Johnson City senior runner Jackie Earley wins the individual championship of the Cedar Park Vista Ridge Invitational Aug. 23. Courtesy photo
The Johnson City High School cross country teams got off to a hot start to the season at the Cedar Park Vista Ridge Invitational Aug. 23 in a meet that drew about a dozen teams.
The Eagles finished fifth in the Classes 1A-4A team standings, while the Lady Eagles were eighth.
The individual champion in the girls Classes 1A-4A race was senior Jackie Earley, who finished the two-mile course in 12 minutes and 26.60 seconds. Earley, who is getting looks from college programs, found herself in second place with 800 meters to go and turned on the afterburners to win the race by six seconds. The race had 83 runners.
“That’s one of the top times in (Class) 2A in two miles,” head coach Rich Powers said. “She’s committed. She trains extremely hard. She runs 37 to 40 miles a week. She’s just a good all-around kid — solid in the classroom and solid as as an athlete. Jackie is an incredible runner. To run 12:26 out of the gate is tough.”
Other runners include Kaitlyn Hacker, Avery Haley, Cora Jackson and Emily Moore.
Powers said he sees plenty of potential.
“I have girls who are new,” he said. “I have to figure out a pace.”
As for the boys, senior Antonio Perez was 18th overall in 19:13.40 followed by freshmen Osvaldo Flores, Sutton Greene and Reese Odiome and junior Michael Axtell. The race drew 100 runners.
“We have three freshmen running varsity that make us very tough,” Powers said. “We have five guys running about 20 minutes. I think we’ll be pretty tough on the boys and girls side. I think it’s going to be a solid year for us. We’re real dialed in right now.”
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RESULTS
BOYS
18, Antonio Perez, 19:13.40; 34, Reese Odiorne, 20:22.80; 41, Sutton Greene, 20:42.30; 50, Osvaldo Flores, 21:08.00; 61, Micah Ablon, 23:12.70
GIRLS
1, Jackie Earley, 12:26.60; 35, Avery Haley, 14:52.80; 50, Kaitlyn Hacker, 15:29.20; 51, Cora Jackson, 15:34.20; 66, Emily Moore, 16:49.10
