Conditions: Sunny, 60 °F - 67 °F, 75%-56% RH, wind N at 6 mph.
The scenic woods of Seguin’s Starcke Park were once again the setting for Seguin High School’s popular annual Matador XC Invitational. Cool fall temperatures greeted 413 varsity runners in the 4A-5A divisions. Marianna Hurtado of San Antonio Madison led 204 girls from the gun with Kerrville Tivy’s Connie Lidiak in pursuit. At the mile mark Hurtado, FEAST Home School’s Emily Dunn, and Round Rock McNeil’s Ashley Steel had a few seconds on the chase group as these three engaged in the second tight duel in as many weeks, having battled the week before at Georgetown. This time Hurtado held on for the win, covering the 3217 meter course in 11:51. In a repeat of Georgetown, Dunn finished less than a second in front of Steel, the front piece of the tight team contest between FEAST and McNeil. FEAST turned the tables this week as their top four gained just enough ground over McNeil’s pack running to prevail 60 to 64, these two teams quite clear of the 30 team field.
In the boys race San Antonio Churchill’s Paul Snyder (sixth ‘07 UIL 5A State Meet), continued his fine senior season taking the early lead and cruising to victory on the 4874 meter course in 15:13. The battle for second was carried by FEASTHomeSchool’s Howard Gill, New Braunfel’s Joey Niland, and Judson’s Raymond Velazquez. Velazquez fell off the pace in the course’s final loop, and with 800 meters remaining Gill gapped Niland and surged away to the silver by 8 seconds. FEAST (67) placed three in the top eight to take the title by 21 points over Churchill (88) with New Braunfels a distant third (206) out of 31 teams.