Thank you, Coach Gilbert Ruiz for sharing the results from the McNeil Invitational Cross Country Meet.
Cross Country McNeil Invitational 9-20-2024 photos by Deborah Wagner https://photos.app.goo.gl/cA9f2y6iEUMRazvWA
Your Lytle Pirate Varsity XC team took a trip up to Round Rock (Site of the UIL STATE MEET) for a State Preview. Some of the best teams in the State were there in hopes of returning in November and we were one of them.
Though we definitely didn't have our best races of the year, we learned a lot and feel that the experience we got will help us tremendously down the road.
The girls started the day in the 1A-3A division competing against 335 girls and 41 teams, the most they have competed against this year by more than double. With 4 girls that have never been there, it was a new experience for them and one that we definitely needed to get some things out of the way before we hopefully return in November. Frances Scotello again had a great showing even though she was fighting an ear infection and being on medication, she still managed to go against some of the best and finished 4th out of 335 runners! She helped pace the girls to a 2nd place finish out of 41 schools and the girls put themselves as one of the top 3 teams to beat if we can return in November. They beat the #3, 5, 6 and 10 teams in the State in 3A and lost to very good Hamilton team that is ranked #1 in 2A. #1 Holliday ran in the 4A division and looks unbeatable and #2 East Bernard, did not attend. Hopefully we can stay healthy this last month and a half and do something AMAZING!
The varsity boys had to go without one of their runners this meet because he could not hold up to the expectations and standards, we hold true to our heart. We hope that they got the message and are ready to finish the season the way it was intended. Though we were short a man, we moved up some hopefuls to see where they currently stand. Johnny Alvarez again led the way with his 5th place finish along with Lucas Salazar's 10th place. Their finishes held off last year's State Champion Great Hearts as the others struggled through the course. The boys finished 1st out of 50 schools beating the #1 and #5-10 teams in 3A (we currently sit 3rd), but didn't look very good doing it.
Both of our groups struggled Saturday, but still managed to be runner-up and meet champions in the 1A-3A divisions, but there were a lot of things that need to be corrected if we are to achieve our ultimate goals.
The team next travels to Corpus Christi on Saturday for the rescheduled Islander Splash. It is the site of the Region IV XC meet and now we will get a Regional Preview on the new course that they have developed.
Below is the link for the official results.