Cross Country Kicks into High Gear
CLHS Cross Country will work to bring more runners to the finish line for better results!!
(in order of finish: Ryan Alvarez, Alek Villavicencio, Eli Lane, Vincent Hollenbeck, Cadence Patterson, Catcher Visser, Marshall Gomez, and Ayden Purdum)
Canyon Lake’s Cross Country team enters this season with a legit chance of making a ‘run’ for a better district result.
Have a Good Pace Hawks !
Last year, The Lake, placed two athletes in the State Meet with Cadence Patterson and Alek Villavicencio.
This year, Cross Country, has a chance of making new strides into rarified air as depth continues to bolster runners with chances for some better results.
There was a time that CL did not even have enough students to qualify as a team during a district final.
Yes, Canyon Lake will need to cover a lot of ground as last year’s group had the Ladies finish last scoring 128 points and on the Boys side finishing next to last place ahead of Wimberley.
The difference was having many Hawks being younger and now with hopes of seeing if, The Lake, can take enough strides to pass more teams and qualify more for Regions.
2021 DISTRICT 28-4A Girls Boys 1) Billies 42 Bandera 39 2) Bandera 75 Boerne 44 3) Boerne 78 Billies 100 4) Davenport 92 Davenport 113 5) Wimberley 94 Canyon Lake 152 6) Canyon Lake 128 Wimberley 173
Being led with two runners and now a group of athletes ready to make their mark could put this year’s team in the thick of district.
Go XC Hawks with Endurance!!
Looking at those schools above you will see how loaded this district has been with a lot of tradition. Which is something, CL Hawks have not established since those first seasons back in 2009-10. Those two years both teams finished under that 100 point barrier.
There are still some runners that need to heal up during this part of the season as was witnessed from Sophomore Saige Childers who had been working through some difficulties competing with pain.
Another one of those freshman ladies last season that was instrumental in XC as well as Soccer.
Saige Childers waiting to get going for this season.
“When we (freshman girls) first arrived last year we were trying to keep up with the upperclassmen….looking back we did pretty good,” Childers said.
“I’m hoping I can get back to running without pain,” Childers continued. “Both of my parents ran distance and that helps me.”
On what was her introduction into this unique sport? “As a sixth grader I needed a sport so I just chose cross country but running on roads instead of a softer surface helped cause the pain in my legs.”
Childers edged into the All-Time Hawk Top-10 800 Meter Run last year with the 8th best time of, 2:39.63 and was joined by two more XC runners with Sophomore Hannah Hammer (1st: 2:37.28) and Junior Cadence Patterson (4th: 2:31.31) making their mark in that event.
Alek Villavicencio and Patterson also chimed in on this year’s XC team.
“I have grown and have more experience and I am enjoying it more,” Patterson said in comparing where she is now compared to this time last season. “I don’t worry as much or over think and my running helps channel those thoughts out which has helped my endurance get better…I also have upped my training load.”
On Cadence’s goals this year? “Place high in State!!”
Responding to that same question Villavicencio remarked, “Last year I started training one week before and this year it was 6 weeks. I have learned a lot on how to read my body and I understand my strength and weaknesses.”
On Alek’s goals this year? “At State I want to get my mile under 5:00 and break the 17 minute mark and get to 16 minutes!”
Notice those goals were based on performing at State which gives an idea of what these two will be concentrating on as they see that finish line this year.
Should be some good showings this year as this group continues to work on their endurance!!
Pace yourself Hawks!!
