CROSS COUNTRY: Lady Mustangs fall to state’s No. 2 team
“It was a lastminute deal to get into the Salado (Invitational),” said coach Steve McCannon. “But since we couldn’t go to the Lexington meet because of Hurricane Ike, I thought this would be a good thing to help get us ready for the state meet.”
With the Texas Association of Private and Parochial School’s state cross-country meet about three weeks away (Oct. 18), the Faith runners are getting as much race experience as they can.
“It was a great meet for us,” he said. “I think we gained some confidence and we are right where we need to be three weeks from state.”
The Faith runners making the trip included Taylor Vaughn (14th), Katie Jung (32nd), Laura Lykken (45th) and Kristyn Stagner (52nd).
Stagner shaved two minutes and 20 seconds off her previous race time. And Lykken showed a strong presence in just her first 3,200-meter race.
Despite a major bottleneck 50 meters from the starting line, Faith held its own. Vaughn worked to get in a strong spot at the halfway point — something McCannon said the Flames will continue to work on at the upcoming meet Saturday in Temple.
Jung is starting to come on strong in the training cycle when “it really counts,” coach said.
“I’m very proud of the girls,” McCannon said. “The race had some tough competition.”
On Saturday, the Flames compete in Temple as a final race before the TAPPS state meet.
“We’re going to continue to work on race position at the Temple meet,” McCannon said. “(Race position) is probably the most important thing at the halfway point because the positions don’t change much.”
McCannon said a runner’s position in the race at midpoint helps determine how she finishes.
daniel@thepicayune.com
