Cross country season has started and there are a lot of high expectations for both the girl’s and the guy’s teams. The Mustangs ran their first meet this past Friday August 27th, at the AISD Invitational, which took place at Walter E. Long Park. The meet was separated into two divisions; Division 1(Mostly 5A schools) and Division 2 (Mostly 4A and 3A schools).Both the Varsity and J.V. teams ran Division 1. This represented a bigger challenge and obviously better preparation for the District meet.”We’re going to be on the state meet this year”, said Coach Bohman, head coach of the cross country program.
The Varsity girls started the day running a 2 mile course on Division 1.The first mustang lady to cross the finish line was Senior Kelsey Rightmer, she finished second place with an overall time of 12:36:60. She was then followed by her teammates, Junior Aimee Slagle (13:52:36,10th place), Senior Janette Hernandez (14:39:69,21st place), Junior Yessenia Estrada (16:16:04,27th place), Junior Alma Vega (16:20:04,29th place) and Yesenia Jacobo (17:07:94,30th place).The ladies cross country finished 4th place overall.
The Varsity boys ran the 3 mile course on Division 1 as well. Junior Juan Jaimes was the first runner from manor to finish. He finished in 5th place with a time of 16:58:55. He was then followed by his teammates Sophomore Issai Martinez (18:05:92,16th),Sophomore Brian O’Hare(18:14:90,18th), Senior Delfino Gonzalez(18:22:12,20th)Junior Steven Dominguez (18:23:53,22nd),Senior Cristopher Gutierrez(18:47:77,26th)and, last but not least, Senior Garrison Smith(21:08:53,42nd).The boys ran a hard race and they also finished 4th overall.
The J.V. girls finished as follows: Senior Maria Casique (16:18.99,15th), Freshman Gladys Sanchez (16:27.38,17th), Sophomore Riley Daniels (16:30.94,18th), Freshman Melanie Leyva (16:37.59,20th), Freshman Shanian Dipuccio (17:09.81,26th), Junior Nancy Huerta(17:24.30,28th), Junior Alma Casique (17:30.84,29th), Senior Ilse Garcia (18:05.71), Freshman Cochran Shaquoa ( 18:07.58),and Freshman Monica Hernandez (19:50.91).
The J.V Boys blew everyone away starting with sophomore Alfredo Hernandez finishing first (18:36.75),followed by sophomore Eduardo Bustillos(18:56.29,4th); sophomore Jesus Salas(19:07.44,5th); sophomore Edgar Fuentes(19:08.77,6th);Sophomore Ray Landry(19:19.05,7th); sophomore Francisco Martinez (20:13.70,10th);
Sophomore Jason Morales (20:43.55,14th); and Junior Jesus Del Rio (22:52.50).The J.V guys finished first place over all the other schools.
Cross country season is barely starting and we sure can expect a lot of great things from this group of athletes who represent our school in a great way. We need to remember that cross country is more than “running”. It’s a mental sport that tests the human ability to persist and not give up. After excruciating pain and exhausting courses only the best athletes hold tight and keep running until the end of the race .As a cross country runner myself, I can’t explain the feeling of accomplishment and pride that comes with crossing the finish line. We need to support our cross country program that is only getting better and something is sure….we are barely starting….
Cristopher Gutierrez 12th
Friday night was a game like no other-Manor against Lampasas. Manor started off strong with positive yards that led them to an early touchdown by #14 and a failed field goal. Lampasas reacted with a touchdown of their own at the end of the first quarter taking the lead by a score of 7-6.
During the 2nd quarter Lampasas caught an interception, which they finished off with a touchdown, increasing their lead 14-6. The Mustangs gained control of the ball again using combinations of rushes and passes giving them a touchdown and brought the score to 12-14.The Manor defense played their part and took possession of the ball, giving the offensive team and the crowd the energy they needed. L.D Williams made a 34 yard run that got the Mustang crowd off their seat with excitement. The 3rd quarter ended with a touchdown from L.D Williams, giving the Mustangs with a touchdown leading 21-28.
The Mustangs and the crowd didn’t give up hope giving them the lead they needed with a score of 26-21. The game seemed to be won by the mustangs with little time left on the clock. The Mustang defense pressured the Lampasas team form gaining yards. With a time-out called at the last two seconds relief blew through the Mustang side. One play would decide the victory, with one yard left to go the Mustangs did there best to protect the end zone. Curiosity caught everyone at the game, wondering if the touchdown was made. The referees concluded the game with a touchdown for Lampasas, giving them the victory 27-26.
