RIO HONDO — For the first time since 2004, the Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats cross country team is headed to the Region IV-4A meet.
With a score of 99 points, the Lady Bobcats secured the third spot in District 32-4A behind La Feria (first place 36 points) and Grulla (second place with 53 points). Rio Hondo edged out the Zapata Lady Eagles, who finished fourth with 110 points and Hidalgo, which finished fifth with 119 points.
Individually, Jasmine Rangel was crowned the 32-4A champion with a time of 11:37, while teammate Jazaline Ayala finished fourth with a time of 12:19. Julie Del Bosque finished 27th with a time of 13:44, Savanna Gonzalez was 31st (13:53), Melania Laredo 36th (14:12), and Mia Zuniga finished 42nd (14:40).
However, the focus of the team was on Rangel and her accomplishment.
“It means a lot to me to be district champion because all my hard work and dedication I put in actually paid off,” she said. “Last year, I was concentrating on getting under 12 seconds since junior year is the absolute hardest.”
Rio Hondo head XC coach Jan Stephenson couldn’t say enough about her star runner.
“She talks about the hard work, but she’s worked really hard and she’s brought people along,” said Stephenson of Rangel. “It wasn’t about me as a person, this year it’s been a family affair. I expect her to do very well but our district is tough and nobody can be counted out.
“They are a tight group and everybody get along really well. The good leadership of Jasmine, Jazaline and seniors that have been here with us has really helped the team.”
As a freshman, Rangel qualified for the regional meet but failed to qualify for the 4A state meet. As a sophomore, Rangel did qualify for state and finished 32nd with a time of 12:32. Also at state last season was teammate Jazaline Ayala, who finished in 72nd place with a time of 12:44.
The Region IV-4A meet will be held at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus on the 23rd of this month.