Lytle Independent School District

"Being ready is not what matters. What matters is winning after you get there." 

-Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, USMC, April 1965 

We arrived at Poth and announced our presence with a cannon shot across the bow of the other teams except the lightning meter registered it as a lightning strike so we were delayed by 30 minutes. The first race of 7th Grade lads and ladies did not begin until 5:45. This year we awarded top ten in 7th Grade boys and girls and 8th Grade girls and boys yet they combined the team points to award top Junior High Boys teams and Girls teams. We had already swept the morning High School races and we had the opportunity to sweep the Junior High but the girls were going to have to run their best. Weston Jackson, Jacob Zimmerle and Carlos Mercado stood for the boys and Vanessa Ayala, Laleina Riviera, Addison Wagner and Sara Morquecho represented the girls. Both Carlos and Sara ran their first race as a Junior High runner. 

Vanessa Ayala 4th - medalist 15:21 

Laleina Riviera 5th – medalist 15:29 

Addison Wagner 7th – medalist 16:47 

Sara Morquecho 22nd – 30:54  

Weston Jackson 3rd – medalist 13:42 

Jacob Zimmerlie 11th – 14:57 

Carlos Mercado 26th – 35:11 

The highlight of the 7th Grade race for me was watching Sara and Carlos compete in their first Cross Country race. Since we had October rained out and canceled, they didn’t get to run in any race except District. Sara had to quarantine for COVID during the middle of the season and she ran well. I believe and they know that if you step to the start line as a Lytle Cross Country runner you finish the race. Sara finished and set her personal record for two miles. Carlos also ran well. He ran his second mile faster that his first mile which showed him he could run faster. The pride and joy of the smile on his father’s face was worth it. Carlos came to run because his cousin Daniel Mercado encouraged him. Carlos and Sara may not have been fast but completed the race and entered the family of Lytle Cross Country. The family includes many fast runners but it includes people like Wyatt Conover who ran and at his last race as an 8th Grader walked off the course with a team medal even though he finished near the back at every race. It includes runners like Abby Bueno who finished last in her 8th Grade District race but because she finished, she helped the team of five finish second in the race. 

The 8th Grade lads needed to step up with only one medalist in the 7th Grade boys. The 8th Grade ladies needed at least four of the ladies to medal. One boy asked me before the race what we needed to do. I told them that Poteet and Poth could fight for first and second but we would have the next six places. Well, that is what we carried out. Klayre Cook, new addition Francis Scotello and Kimora Sanchez medaled for the ladies. Svetlana Lopez and Isabella Lopez were edged out of the top ten. The one thing I love about this 8th Grade group of boys is how they celebrate each other's success and are such great competitors amongst themselves. With the final rays of sun setting on the horizon the boys finished this year as District Champions. All the boys stood on the medal stand as individual medalists. I don’t know what next year will bring with the longer race but for this year this group of boys is the greatest Junior High group of runners to ever grace the Junior High hallways. 

It has been a long season since August and so many people to thank. One of my boys said he saw his picture in the paper as we went to the meet yesterday. The publicity provided by the Devine News these last two years has affected these young athletes and parents. Thank you Coach Beaty for your kindness to Lytle. I put 220 miles on two trips to Poth yesterday. Thank you, Armando, not only for your support by watching the team but to all your mechanics who help us get our athletes to our competitions. Thanks to the cafeteria for our meals and snacks and to the custodians for helping keep the locker rooms cleaned and sanitized. Yesterday couldn’t have happened without Mrs. Tina Reyna being the point to keep the runners informed through all the weather delays. The wonderful pictures by Mrs. Wagner were much appreciated. I have yet to 

figure out how to take pictures and time at the same time. The pictures of the clock are my focus. I was honored and pleased to see Mr. Raygosa at the finish and awards ceremony to celebrate with our athletes. Finally, to all the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who support these fine athletes. They get them to early morning practices, make sure they have everything necessary to be the best and support them when they run. Finally, it has been my greatest pleasure to drive Coach Ruiz around Texas to showcase these athletes. I have seen him coach since 2004 and I consider this his greatest year in his legacy of coaching. He has used bailing wire and binders' twine to keep State quality teams together. The opportunity is present to take both boys and girls team to the State November. I am out until Track season as we start the April Bodie and Cort Haltom farewell throwing tour to the rings. 

“Ohana means family and family means no one is left behind or forgotten.” 

- Stich