“There’s no joy in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue, there’s no joy in merely doing things which anyone can do. But there is some satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take, when you reach a destination that you thought you’d never reach.”
– Spirella
Yesterday, September 25th, we took our annual trip to Gonzales for the Junior High Meet. Coach Ruiz has gratefully allowed me to showcase these fine runners at their own Meet. Unfortunately, my planning for time was a bit off. We arrived in Gonzales when the 7th Grade was starting. They started the race at about 5 minutes early, but I should have left a bit earlier, but I wanted to finish teaching my 6th period class to allow the football players to give their speeches since they are playing in Cotulla today. Best of Skill to the lads. The coaches for Gonzales allowed the 7th Grade ladies to run with the 8th Grade. Unfortunately for Addison and Valentina they missed a medal. I think they would have placed in the 7th Grade race. The course was different this year, so it is hard to compare times from last year. Lunna Reyes did an excellent job of taking times at the finish.
8th Grade Girls - (3rd) Place - Time
Celeste Martinez - 4th - M 10:17
Isabel Arce - 5th - M 10:19
Samantha Mujica - 12th - M 10:42
Annabel Lopez - 11:16
Sarah Beth Tondre - 11:17
Brianna Padares - 11:44
Fatima Montes - 12:17
Mila Salinas - 12:18
Lola Patino - 13:04
7th Grade Girls - Place - Time
Addison Criado - 21st - 11:16
Valentina Ayala - 22nd - 11:18
Lia Corral - 12:51
Kiara Gutierrez - 13:54
Celeste Guerrero - 15:00
Samantha Guerrero - 15:23
The 7th Grade boys ran the third race of the day. Last year the Meet awarded top 30 medals. Today they awarded top 15 medals. We had three boys medal. Luke battled a boy from San Marcos but they kept battling for the lead. Luke got edged at the finish. He led most of the race but the point that mattered was at the end. If he would have run a thinking race, he should have just settled behind the boy and pass him at the end. It is a good lesson to learn and unfortunately it is best taught in a Meet. The star of the day was Johnny Alvarez. He has challenged himself every day at practice to keep up with the faster 8th Grade boys and Luke. Today he finished 3rd and it was exciting to see the excitement of the family all dressed in their Alvarez attire to support their brother and son. We all ran well and hopefully we will continue to improve as the District Meet approaches. A team often reflects the love of what the coach loves. Behind the team is a large “Come and Take it flag”. I had to point it out since Texas history is such a wonderful topic. The story of Texas is beautiful and today we added a page to the history of Gonzales.
7th Grade Boys - Place - Time
Luke Estrada – 2nd - M 8:30
Johnny Alvarez - 3rd - M 9:30
Yandel Esquivez – 10th - M 9:50
Tristan Lopez - 23rd - 10:41
Zacharee Perez - 10:51
Robert Imning - 10:52
The 8th Grade boys ran the final race. Rudy and Abel battled again for supremacy. Rudy finished 2 seconds ahead of Abel to place 1st and 2nd. Brandon, Stefan and Adriel rounded out the first five and we had 5 boys with medals which means we probably would have finished first as a team if team scores had been tabulated. We need to stay healthy, because I think this team can score the first ever perfect score for the Lytle Junior High in District.
8th Grade Boys - Place - Time
Rudy Cepeda - 1st - Meet Champion - 8:08
Abel Sanchez - 2nd - M 8:10
Brandon Obando - 7th - M 8:54
Stefan Grigsby - 10th- M 9:04
Adriel Ayala - 13th - M 9:24
Aiden Martinez - 9:58
Jacob Reyes - 9:54
Gabriel Alcorta - 10:26
Daniel Mercado - 10:44
Chris Lopez - 10:55
Richard Hernandez - 11:16
Gabe Mata - 11:23
Thank you for all you do for the athletes.
“I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think I do. That is Character.”
- Theodore Roosevelt