FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 2013: Marble Falls cross country
The 2013 Marble Falls High School cross-country team is Joy Plunk (sitting, left), Siobhan Patterson, Emma Sharp, Nadia Castro, Maddie Conrad and Brittney Deering; Sydney Gibson (kneeling, left), Serenity Wall, Nydia Castro, Haley Stephens, Sarah Stripling, Tess Johnson, Darby Hibbs and Chase Martin; Kameron Wright (third row, left), Daniel Mata, Andre Hooper, Christian Marroqin, Tate Johnson, Tincia Ware and Kellee Hill; Ishmael Montoya (back row, left), Rafael Villareal, D'Anthony Wall, Colton Hagood, Jordan Wright and Cody Skipper. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
TEAM: Marble Falls High School cross country
HEAD COACH: Anthony Torns
DISTRICT: 25-4A
2012 RESULT: Boys finished third at district meet and 12th at Class 4A Region IV meet. Girls were sixth at district meet. Jordan Wright finished 53rd in 17:25.49 at the Class 4A state meet, while Sarah Stripling was 13th in 19:46 at the regional meet.
RETURNERS: Jordan Wright, Colton Hagood, D’Anthony Wall, Cody Skipper, Tate Johnson, Ishmael Montoya, Daniel Mata; Sarah Stripling, Haley Stephens, Tess Johnson, Darby Hibbs, Nydia Castro
NEWCOMERS: Christian Marroqin, Kameron Wright, Rafael Villareal; Brittney Deering, Chase Martin, Emma Sharp, Tincia Ware, Sydney Gibson, Siobhan Patterson, Maddie Conrad, Joy Plunk, Serenity Wall, Nadia Castro
OUTLOOK: The 2013 cross-country team has the most runners in at least the past decade, according to Torns, but that’s only part of the story.
“I don’t care about the numbers as long as we have quality athletes,” he said. “Kids are willing to come out here and work hard.”
And work, they did. The Mustangs have been running as a squad since June. They met three times a week for three weeks then took a week off just to start the process all over again. By the time fall training camp began Aug. 5, the runners were in good condition.
And that’s the aim right now, especially in a district that features Cedar Park High — arguably the top distance program in the state — led by Brittany Innis and Leander Rouse runner Madie Boreman, the Class 4A defending state cross-country champion, the gold medalist in the 1,600 meters and the silver medalist in the 3,200 meters, both at the state track meet last year.
But Torns said not to discount the Lady Mustangs, led by senior Stripling. They’ll continue to run 3.2-mile races with the rule change last year by the University Interscholastic League.
“I believe our girls have as good a chance as anybody because of our depth,” he said. “They’re the best girls team I’ve had.”
As for the boys, they are led by senior Wright, who is looking for a return to the state meet. And he believes starting workouts in early summer can only benefit the entire squad.
Torns said the key to success must come from each runner. He admits there’s some things he simply can’t coach: heart, desire, determination and a willingness to get better.
How much each runner wants to improve individually will decide what kind of season the Mustangs have, he said.
“A willingness to work,” Torns said. “You can get a lot better and run your way to being a good distance runner.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com