Jacksonville Maidens win district championship

The Jacksonville High School was host to the District 16-5A cross country meet Thursday, Oct. 17. Participating schools included Hallsville, Pine Tree, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Marshall, John Tyler, Whitehouse and the host school.

The Maiden varsity were victorious in the 5,000-meter run, earning 29 points. Nacogdoches (68) secured second and Lufkin (72) earned third.

The junior varsity Maidens (50) placed third in the 3,200-meter race behind Lufkin (35) and Nacogdoches (37).

The varsity Indians (103) finished fifth. The top three schools were Lufkin (33), Nacogdoches (50) and Hallsville (96). Longview Pine Tree edged out Jacksonville with 100 points.

The Indians (114) placed fourth in the junior varsity 5,000-meter run. Lufkin (15) won the division, followed by Longview Pine Tree (72) and Nacogdoches (94).

Of the 49 runners in the women’s varsity division, Jacksonville had all seven participants complete the course among the top 15 runners. Taylor Gutierrez led the team, placing second with a time of 18:59. Reyna Munoz finished fourth (20:45), Lesly Munoz was sixth (20:53), Alexia Davis earned seventh (20:58) and Aly Toledo, tenth (21:07). Finishing just outside the top 10 were Michelle Medellin, 11th, 21:11; and Madison Soultanova, 12th, 21:11.

Junior varsity women who completed the course among the top 15 included Dayana Munoz, sixth, 15:24; Destiny Garcia, seventh, 15:27; Jennifer Ramirez, ninth, 16:01; Jasmine Adame, 13th, 16:16; and Citlaly Rincon, 15th, 16:20. Other Maidens who participated were Lixsel Vega (16:43), Juliza Cabrera (16:45), Marissa Garcia (17:24), Nathaly Martinez (18:10), Nattalie Tavera (18:19), Katie Tavera (18:32) and Emily Hernandez (20:09).

The Jacksonville Indians were led by Kevin Nave who completed the course in seventh place with a time of 17:16. Marco Hernandez finished tenth with a time of 17:31. Other runners included Sean Conaway (18:50), Ricardo Moreira (18:50), Jhoan Sandoval (19:08), Chris Gallegos (19:58) and Alexis Medellin (19:59).

Ramiro Alvarez and Jacinto Flores led the junior varsity team, finishing in times of 19:41.3 and 19:41.5 respectively. Other runners completing the course were Chrystian Gonzalez (20:37), Michael Sanchez (20:58), Eric Ruiz (21:00), George Herrinton (21:06), Jared Cardenas (21:21), Miguel Pinuelas (21:45), Dylan Guerrero (22:45) and Caden Singleton (24.08).

The varsity Maidens, as district champions, qualified for the UIL Region II cross country championships which will be hosted at the Jesse Owens Sport Complex in Dallas Monday, Oct. 28. The top four teams and the first 10 individuals not already on one of the advancing teams will qualify for the state meet.

The state competition will take place at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock Saturday, Nov. 9.