Today our OXC Lions and Lady Lions fought hard on 2ish hours of sleep and a 4 hr bus ride to Lubbock.
After an emotional, busy, fun week of HOCO, we chose the hardest path- running our division at a regional preview in the earliest division. I debated running this or running 3A to give us an extra hour of sleep, but we decided to choose the hardest option of the ones we had. The reason is because of something I want our runners to learn: that sometimes the hardest path is the best path. Sometimes the hardest path is the most uncomfortable, but when you realize that you can do it, you realize you are capable of far more than you give yourself credit for.
This race was hugely important for our runners to get a preview of regionals, if we are lucky enough to advance out. Our district is insanely stacked with 3-4 teams that would and should be in the top of the region, and the state. The things the runners in our district, including our own, have done and are doing in just one season of growth is insane.
Our boys had one medalist: Moses Ramirez and our girls had one, Cameran Ochoa. Both set on the course PRs which is crazy thinking of how hard their weeks were. Our boys on average improved by 1:45 over last years times, and they were unsatisfied with how they did. They’ve improved, but they’re hungry for better. Our girls did exactly as expected considering how young they are. Experience shined through and helped Cameran finish top 25, and Ysa Esparza ran in the top 50 of 150 runners.
We finished 9th as a girls team and 10th as a boys team.
Our teams did a great job all things considered, and we have some bright things but also have area to improve before District.
Keep it up OXC! You’re going to do great things if you do not give up!
~~ Coach Taylor and Youngblood