Cross country runs in the cold

Cross country runners took on a new type of event with the Cody Foxes and Hounds last Friday, though weather conditions were certainly less than ideal.

Coach Stephanie Metz said, “It was cold and wet, and I was freezing. The weather was awful.” As for the impact on the runners, she said one could tell they were in pain, but looking at everyone’s splits they did amazing and several made or came close to personal records.

“I had McKenna [Bomengen] so close to breaking 20,” Metz said. “That’s her goal, and she hit a 20:01.” Corbin Simeral, having recently broke 20 minutes in Worland, went 20:02 in Cody. “Even in this crazy weather, they’re still right there,” Metz said.

The same goal-making and –breaking results continued with the middle school students. Madison Shaffer had a goal to break 16 minutes and came in at 15:54.

Metz noted it’s always hard to look at times for middle school, because meets are fit for the high school, always 3.1 miles, whereas middle school courses might be 1.8 or 2.1. “It’s hard to know which courses are actually a two-mile course. They’re not always perfect, so we can look at our placings.”

Jayssie Owsley and Sadie Martinez placed in the top 10, which is big because they’re sixth-graders and are beating seventh- and eighth-graders, Metz said. Also on the middle school side, Jesse Rodriguez came close to breaking into the top 10 with his 12:36 time.

A team member who just came on recently, Jubal Wagler, did well with a 7:20 pace, which Metz said is great for just starting.

Regarding the Cody meet itself, Metz explained in a Fox and Hounds event, for varsity they call off the No. 7 runner first. “In cross country you’re only allowed seven places on the varsity level, so the seventh is your slowest of the seven.” Twenty seconds after the seventh starts, the sixth starts. This process continues for the remaining runners. “So you’re fastest runner is the last to start, and they are two minutes, 20 seconds behind the first person. They’re the hounds trying to catch the fox.”

Metz said the fastest runners are working to catch up, which could explain how they kept up with their personal records despite the weather, but also allows those who aren’t typically leading to run their race so they aren’t off on their splits.

Middle school has one meet left, with the Powell Invite this Friday. It is also the high school team’s last regular meet before getting into championships. Thermopolis is hosting the Five Rivers Conference Meet on Friday, Oct. 18, and the State Championship is Saturday, Oct. 26 at Star Valley.

Official times from meet are:

HS Boys: Corbin Simeral, 20:02.92; Cord Simeral, 21:05.15; Karsten Hart, 23:05.92; Isaac Robinson, 24:31.11

HS Girls: McKenna Bomengen fourth, 20:01.26; Tahja Hunt, 22:54.13; Hallie Martinez, 22:58.94; Dayna Crow, 25:29.67; Rebekah Johnson, 25:37.05

MS Boys: Jesse Rodriguez, 12:36.33; Jubal Wagler, 14:41.85; Brody Potter, 15:20.05; Cody Bomengen, 16:37.96; Aidan Freeman, 17:12.62; Joseph Crow, 17:16.37

MS Girls: Sadie Martinez sixth, 13:59.99; Jayssie Owsley ninth, 14:12.64; Kadance Bowman, 15:46.90; Madison Shaffer, 15:54.95; Makayla Moore, 21:46.53