Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
QCS Senior Writer
Tucumcari’s cross country runners had success, mixed with frustration at their meet in Lovington last week.
“At first, the runners were disappointed with where they placed,” said Gary Hittson cross country head coach.
But the good news was both teams turned in their best times of the year. The boys the best time was Steven Chaney with a time of 19:04, for the girls Alyssa Martinez had a time of 23:02, Hittson said.
Hittson said an event originally scheduled for Midland, Texas, was canceled and so a lot of large Texas teams came to Lovington to compete.
Even as the teams were warming up, buses were pulling into the parking lot at Lovington.
Hittson said Lubbock High School and Odessa Permian teams were among those the Rattlers competed against.
“It’s hard not to be discouraged when you come in 30th or higher,” said Tucumcari harrier Alyssa Martinez.
Martinez said the runners from the Texas schools were talented. She said after speaking with coach Hittson the teams realized they had actually performed well at the event.
“They competed against some tough teams and it’s only going to help them later in the season,” Hittson said.
Hittson said the cross country runners’ next challenge will be running a course they have never run before. He said the teams will compete Saturday at Moriarty. Race time is 9 a.m.