Cross country runs into late season problems

Cross+Country+competed+in+their+first+5K+over+Labor+Day+weekend.+The+athletes+exceeded+expectations%2C%E2%80%9D+coach+Khera+Vay+said.

Taylor Clapp

Cross Country competed in their first 5K over Labor Day weekend. “The athletes exceeded expectations,” coach Khera Vay said.

Vaughn Perez, Sports Reporter

Cross country made their way to South Lakes Park on Saturday for the Garmin MileSplit TX XC Invitational, but injuries put a hamper on what the Redhawks achieved.

“We were missing a couple of runners on both sides which is unfortunate being so close to districts,” coach Ben Manning said. “The kids who were able to run on Saturday produced great results, but looking forward, we’re hoping all our kids can recover within the next few weeks so that the team is at its best for districts.”

With just two weeks until the District 10-5A meet on Oct. 13, junior Vedant Shah is doing his best to not let aches and pains impact his performance.

“I have a few minor injuries that are somewhat hurting me, but I just ran the best I could since the course wasn’t too hard,” Shah said. “I know I still need to work on my endurance as longer races are starting to tire me out, but the plan is to get fully healthy first and then I can continue to practice hard for this last meet before districts.”

Junior Taylor Clapp finished in the top half of 150 runners in the girls’ elite junior varsity run, but knows she needs to lock in for the final meets.

“I am not satisfied with my run time, this was supposed to be an easier course but the heat got to my head,” Clapp said. “I ran the fastest time I’ve run this year, but I know it’s not going to cut it for the end of the season. I’m working the hardest I can right now because it’s not the time to slow down with how far our team has come this far.”