Faith Academy cross country faces unique obstacles at Allen meet
Some members of the Faith Academy of Marble Falls cross-country team competed at the Allen Invitational on Sept. 20. They include Sophie McCannon, Halle Shumate, Abraham Lewis, Kristina Lane and Emily Eppler. Courtesy photo
ALLEN — The Faith Academy of Marble Falls cross-country team encountered more than it expected at the Allen Invitational on Sept. 20.
The contest was at a different location than in past years, said Faith Academy head coach Steve McCannon. And this new course had plenty of obstacles.
“Two tough hills, oilfield construction equipment, mud, water, humidity, goat weed and cow patties were all part of the course conditions,” he said. “I have never seen anything like it. I always tell athletes to prepare mentally for any type of conditions and weather. This race made me realize I need to expand my list of things to prepare for.”
But those hurdles were no match for Faith Academy sophomore Sophie McCannon, who won gold in the varsity division in 12 minutes 39 seconds.
McCannon caught the leader at the 2,000-meter mark and then won the race by 30 seconds over the silver medalist.
“At the toughest part of the course, Sophie was at her strongest,” said Faith’s coach, who is also her father. “Hard work and strategy always pays off. I am impressed with her time given the conditions.”
Something else that was unexpected at the meet was Conroe Oak Ridge, which was a late addition because its own meet was canceled. Oak Ridge scored 18 points in the girls varsity race and took 16 of the top 18 finishes in the junior varsity division.
Only four Lady Flames competed in the event. The others did not because of illness, McCannon said.
Faith’s Kristina Lane was 16th overall in 15:46.
“Kristina ran through the tough conditions and did her best to hang with the Oak Ridge girls,” the coach said. “She has had some good time trials recently, so she is getting better.”
In the boys varsity division, Abraham Lewis was 30th in 24:47. McCannon said he and Lewis had a race strategy in mind that they had to modify when Oak Ridge arrived.
“We still maybe went out too fast and did not have enough juice left for the tougher second half of the course. That is how we learn. Abraham is getting a crash course in cross country and will get better each week and I feel he will peak at state.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com
RESULTS: Boys — 30, Abraham Lewis, 24:47. Girls — 1, Sophie McCannon, 12:39; 16, Kristina Lane, 15:46; 28, Halle Shumate, 20:15; 29, Emily Eppler, 20:19
UP NEXT: 8:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at Waco Connally Invitational at Waco Connally Middle School, 100 Hancock Drive in Elm Mott