Konnar McClendon highlights young, talented Canadian cross country squad at LISD Invitational

LUBBOCK — Konnar McClendon fell to the ground.

After finishing a two-mile race, the Canadian sophomore long-distance runner took deep breaths to try and fill her oxygen-depleted lungs after a strenuous journey that ended in 12 minutes, 40.60 seconds, Saturday morning at Mae Simmons Park.

A few moments later, she was back to her feet before she searched for Holliday’s Jaycee Lyons — who won the Class 3A girls race with a time of 12:23.60. — to congratulate her running rival.

In a little more than a month, McClendon is hoping the roles are reversed when the two runners compete against once another in the Region I meet set to take place in the same location in the Hub City.

“Our goal was to go see what we could do against Holliday,” McClendon said of how her squad used the race as a measuring stick against Region I competition. ”See if we could get close to them, and beat them. But, also keeping in mind, that our mission is to get better and be ready for regionals.”

For now, McClendon can take solace in her second-place finish. But the youngster was adamant she could have improved her time by the slightest margin had she been able to jump out to a better start at the beginning of the race.

“I tried to start strong, but I’m not the best starter,” she said, cracking a smile. ”I try to find my pace during the middle of the race and then I’m a pretty good finisher. Obviously, not really today. But, that’s OK.”

Indeed, there’s still time to adjust stride, pace and more before returning to the course.

“Find a better pace in the middle, and attack the hill a little more,” McClendon said of learning lessons she can use going into the Region I meet set to be held at Mae Simmons Park. ”It was definitely one of the tougher races I’ve done this year. We don’t have many hills on the previous races we’ve competed in, so that’s a challenge.”

With the field touting more than 200 athletes and 33 teams, Canadian girls cross country coach Aaron Marks felt his squad was tested in the best way possible. And, it’s also a huge help that the race is a precursor for regionals down the line in October — a time when his athletes will be looking to earn a berth to the state set for November.

“It definitely gives you an idea of where you are in the region,” he said. ”And Holliday, being the defending state champs, you’re interested to see where you stack up with them. And they showed (Saturday) why they are the defending state champs.

“And we also have some other great teams in the region.”

The Lady Wildcats can throw their hat in the mix after a strong second-place showing Saturday morning in Lubbock. Caandian finished with 114 points, just above Holliday which accumulated 72 at the end of the competition. Dalhart (136 points), Jim Ned (145) and Ballinger (209) rounded out the rest of the girls teams in the top-5.

In Class 3A boys action, Tulia’s Hugo Briones (17:10.30) and Dimmitt’s Azariah Gonzles (17:11.60) finished in sixth and seventh. Dalhart finished fourth as a team with Dante Delgado (18:16.70) taking top honors with a 16th place finish.

Class 4A

Canyon and Randall continue to battle.

That was evident with Avery Brown placing first for the Lady Eagles with time of 11:51.90 before Sierra Sanchez cross the line at 12:00.50 for the Lady Raiders.

Brown and Abree Winfrey, who ended with a time of 12:27.30 in third, were the two Canyon athletes to finish in the top-10. Randall had Sanchez, Hailey Roberson (12:32.00, fourth) and Alex Pinter (12:49.90, eighth).

“Our kids are pretty tired right now, but we wanted to give them the experience of this course,” Canyon coach Ray Baca said of his squad’s performance. ”This can be an intimidating course when you first see it. So now that they’ve run it, there’s a bit of confidence gained and they figure out nuances about it.

“We’re just going to try and get better as the season goes along and, I think, you’re gonna wind up seeing Randall and Canyon both in the conversation to win the state meet.”

Class 5A

The Amarillo girls turned in a solid performance, finishing second in the team standings with 105 points — behind Abilene High which ended with 90.

Sophomore Emma Milsow led the way with an 11th-place finish and time of 21:02.90 followed by Mali Gomez (21:47.90, 18th), Elizabeth Throckmorton (22:05.10, 20th), Natalie Santana (22:07.70. 21st) and Ayla Baer (22:50.70, 35th).

The Sandies will also come home with smiles as they placed third as a team with 104 points — behind first-place Argyle (79) and runner-up Monterey (91).

Parker Maybin (16:57.00, ninth) and Jerin Perkins (17:16.20, 13th) were the top finishers for the Amarillo boys.

Class 2A

Wellington’s Addy Mock turned in a top-5 finish after crossing the finish line with a time of 13:35.90 while Sunray’s Maita Loya clocked in at 13:57.20.

Class 1A

Joe Clay finished in seventh with a time of 20:09.10 to highlight the Texline boys team, which finished runner-up with 62 points to Jayton (25 points). Nazareth finished in fourth with Bryson Brockman (19:15.00, fifth) setting the pace for his squad.

Hayden Alton (20:13.90, eighth) and Will Clay (20:16.50, ninth) rounded out the top-10 for the Tornadoes.

In girls competition, Nazareth finished runner up with 90 points — just behind Springlake-Earth, which ended with 83.

Kelsie Gunter (14:00.30, fifth) and Madison Brockman (14:33.80, ninth) led the way for the Swiftettes, while Taytum Goodman (11:42.50, first) and Aabriella Villanueva (13:57.70, second) set the tone for the Lady Wolverines.

LISD INVITATIONAL

Mae Simmons Park, Lubbock

BOYS

Class 1A

1. Tayte Cormier, Irion County, 16:45.70, 2. Austin Magness, Paint Rock, 17:48.00, 3. Grif Reel, Jayton, 18:12.50, 4. Wiley Gaskins, Sands, 18:55.40, 5. Carlos Plata, Sands, 19:00.60, 6. Robert Lowrey, Jayton, 19:02.90, 7. Ben Blankenship, Jayton, 19:23.90, 8. Bryson Brockman, Nazareth, 19:51.00, 9. Hunter Lovell, Claude, 19:59.70, 10. Jaydon Rivera, Jayton, 20:03.20.

Class 2A

1. Jhoan Menjivar, Plains, 17:28.50, 2. Sawyer Hamilton, Plains, 17:45.80, 3. Julian Rodriguez, Big Lake Reagan County, 17:50.60, 4. Cory Ybarra, Ozona, 18:02.10, 5. Jackson Martinez, New Home, 18:11.80, 6. Dwight Donjuan, Quanah, 18:31.10, 7. Koy Torres, Sundown, 18:39.60, 8. Kyle Abilez, Christoval, 18:44.40, 9. Tyler Nunes, New Deal, 18:48.40, 10. Zahir Loya, Sunray, 18:51.00.

Class 3A

1. Noah Strohman, Holliday, 16:08.50, 2. Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 16:18.60, 3. Samuel Bryan, Jim Ned, 16:58.90, 4. Angel Torres, Tornillo, 17:05.20, 5. Andrew Hicks, Eastland, 17:09.30, 6. Hugo Briones, Tulia, 17:10.30, 7. Azariah Gonzalez, Dimmitt, 17:11/60, 8. Ryder Strohman, Holliday, 17:17.50, 9. Sammy Herrera, Eastland, 17:19.30, 10. Eduardo Flores, Presidio, 17:29.30.

Class 4A

1. Alex Niemiec, Canyon, 16:02.10, 2. Lewter Lathan, Canyon, 16:19.60, 3. Tristan Cano, Canyon, 16:27.00, 4. Ryan Fernandez, Canyon, 16:37.00, 5. Anthony Stuart, Canyon, 16:41.40, 6. Adrian Solis, Big Spring, 16:50.30, 7. Isaac Gonzales, Big Spring, 17:00.70, 8. River JOhnson, Canyon, 17:24.90, 9. Angel Garcia, Hereford, 17:31. 30, 10. Noah Williams, Dumas, 17:39.50.

Class 5A

1. David Mora, Monterey, 15:36.50, 2. Alejandro Tarin, El Paso Hanks, 15:46.70, 3. Andruw Villa, Abilene High, 15:54.80, 4. Brian Woolums, Argyle, 16:08.20, 5. Xavier Sanchez, Monterey, 16:19.30, 6. Tyler Westrom, Argyle, 16:29.10, 7. Emilio Salas, Tascosa, 16:38.70, 8. Roman Martinez, Coronado, 16:52.40, 9. Parker Maybin, Amarillo High, 16:57.00, 10. Barak Geary, Azle, 17:01.10.

Class 6A

1. Andrew Mullen, Coppell, 16:06.00, 2. Henry Henze, Coppell, 16:17.30, 3. Vedant Bhattacharyya, Coppell, 16:27.80, 4. Bridger Bowcutt, Keller, 16:32.10, 5. Josh Carlton, Keller, 16:38.40, 6. Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 16:40.40, 7. Jeremiah Barrera, Arlington Houston, 16:49.50, 8. Jsopeh Flotte, Odessa High, 16:54.20, 9. Samarth Dubey, Coppell, 16:57.40, 10. Jose Almanza, Midland Legacy, 17:05.60.

GIRLS

Class 1A

1. Taytum Goodman, Springlake-Earth, 11:42.50, 2. Aabriella Villanueva, Springlake-Earth, 13:57.70, 3. Ummi Chanez, Marfa, 13:58.10, 4. Bucki Smith, Spur, 13:59.40, 5. Kelsie Gunter, Nazareth, 14:00.30, 6. Aundrea Garcia, Marfa, 14:02.50, 7. Kamryn Nail, Jayton, 14:11.00, 8. Jace Chisum, Jayton, 14:17.00, 9. Jayley Connell, Sands, 14:27.60, 10. Madison Brockman, Nazareth, 14:33.80.

Class 2A

1. Kaidy Ornelas, Roscoe Collegiate, 13:18.30, 2. Brenna Butler, Gruver, 13:20.30, 3. Kiley Barrera, Plains, 13:32.20, 4. Tabor Christianelli, Quanah, 13:34.60, 5. Addy Mock, Wellington, 13:35.90, 6. Kenadee Millican, Christoval, 13:41.40, 7. Avery Cathey, Panhandle, 13:56.90, 8. Maita Loya, Sunray, 13:57.20, 9. Presley Polk, Christoval, 13:57.90, 10. Miranda Sosa, New Deal, 13:58.30.

Class 3A

1. Jaycee Lyons, Holliday, 12:13.60, 2. Konnar McClendon, Canadian, 12:40.60, 3. Rylan Raschke, Iowa Park, 12:48.50, 4. Arionna Black, Canadian, 12:52.10, 5. Braylen Lusby, Spearman, 12:57.70, 6. Analee Larrea, Denver City, 13:00.60, 7. Simone Mouras, Holliday, 13:03.30, 8. Destinee Peres, Spearman, 13:03.60, 9. Hailey Von Willer, Jim Ned, 13:04.90, 10. Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 13:08.40.

Class 4A

1. Avery Brown, Canyon, 11:51.90, 2. Sierra Sanchez, Randall, 12:00.50, 3. Abree Winfrey, Canyon, 12:27.30, 4. Hailey Roberson, Randall, 12:32.00, 5. Sarai Chavez, DUmas, 12:32.80, 6. Yahaira Lujan, Dumas, 12:38.70, 7. Mia Lujan, Dumas, 12:41.80, 8. Elliott Jackson, West Plains, 12:47.80, 9. Alex Pinter, Randall, 12:49.90, 10. Elyse Santiago, Monahans, 12:50.20.

Class 5A

1. Reese Peña, Lubbock High, 18:50.70, 2. Zanashia Harris, Coronado, 19:28.00; 3. Marin Murray, Abilene High, 20:01.60, 4. Zoe Vann, Abilene High, 20:02.10, 5. Quinn Dixon, North Richland Hills Birdville, 20:12.30, 6. Sydney Smothers, Monterey, 20:23.10, 7. Mickaella Leal, Plainview, 20:31.30, 8. Mara Reed, Argyle, 20:48.60, 9. Elizabeth Aguirre, El Paso Hanks, 20:53.70, 10. Destinee Loeza, El Paso Hanks, 20:53.70.

Class 6A

1. Madeline Heckler, Dallas Highland Park, 19:31.60, 2. Vivien Boehmer, Keller, 19:42.40, 3. Kayla Dickerson, Dallas Highland Park, 19:51.40, 4. Victoria Pace, Keller, 19:59.80, 5. Charlotte Hudson, Dallas Highland Park, 20:12.00, 6. Amaya Mendoa, Frenship, 20:18.00, 7. Manning Boneau, Keller, 20:25.30, 8. Mallory Sherrer, Coppell, 20:41.10, 9. Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 20:41.80, 10. Fernanda Chavez, Arlington Martin, 20:44.10.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Konnar McClendon highlights young, talented Canadian cross country squad at LISD Invitational