The Herald-Zeitung

The New Braunfels boys’ cross country team has a chance to make history on Saturday, and coach Lee Datesman feels they’re ready for the challenge.

The Unicorn squad surprised many last Saturday when they won the District 26-5A title — the first district championship since 2004 — and will travel to Brooks City Base in San Antonio on Saturday for the Class 5A Region IV finals for a chance to become the first boys’ team to advance to the state finals.

“We surprised a lot of people (by winning the district title), but we didn’t surprise ourselves,” Datesman said. “We felt confident going into the district finals. Everything was clicking.

“You know things are going well when all seven of your runners post personal bests on that course.”

Junior John Martinez led the way with a seventh place finish (16:27) for New Braunfels’ only top ten finisher, but it was the rest of the team that followed right behind Martinez.

The Unicorns took places 11-15 to give them the logjam in the top twenty and more than enough points to win the district championship by 10 points.

Joey May (16:43), Payton Purdy (16:58), Mark Gonzales (17:06), Josh Stallings (17:06) and Clay Smith (17:11) too 11-15, respectively, while Trent Mangold (17:45) came in 25th.

Smithson Valley took second place with 62 points and will join the Unicorns at the Region IV finals.

Purdy was excited to be a part of a district championship, but said that the Unicorns can’t be satisfied.

“We can’t stop there,” Purdy said. “It was an awesome feeling to win the district title, but we have to want more than that. We celebrated the district championship on Saturday, but we were right back to work on Sunday getting ready for regionals.”

Martinez has been one of the most consistent runners for the Unicorns this season, but Datesman believes he still has another gear left he can tap into.

“John has a great work ethic and does everything you ask of him,” Datesman said. “I know he can take it to another level.”

On the girls side, Brandy Valdez (12:29) finished fifth on the 2-mile course at the district finals to qualify for regionals.

Datesman believes his team is ready to make a serious run at the state finals and it all starts on Saturday.

“When you have seven guys who can run the 5K in low end of 17 minutes then you have a chance,” Datesman said. “That’s all you can ask is just a chance.”

The regional finals begin at 2:30 p.m. at Brooks City Base in San Antonio.

Cougars qualify for regionals

The Canyon boys’ and girls’ cross country teams qualified for the Class 4A Region IV finals with a pair of third place finishes at the District 27-4A finals last Saturday in Seguin.

Alexandra Alvizo (12:24.8) placed third overall and Ashtin Caddell (12:46.3) placed sixth on the 2-mile course, as six Cougarettes finished in the top 25.

Landa Dowdy (12:59.5) placed 11th, Mariah Kilgore (13:49.1) finished in 19th position, Brittany Carter (13:50.8) placed 20th and Marina Flores (13:59.7) finished in 24th, while Rachel Schell (14:18.4) placed 31st.

On the boys’ side, Nolen Vargas (17:45) came in 11th place, while Marshall Nolen (18:11.3) and Brandon Ikels (18:12.6), and Daniel Romero (18:24.7) came in 14th, 15th and 16th, respectively.

Mark Adame (18:46.1) finished in 20th and Jordan Hoffer (19:02.6) came in 24th spot at the district finals.