MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — It was business as usual for Edcouch-Elsa’s Krysta Martinez.
The senior cross country runner notched her fourth first-place finish of the season Saturday morning at the Harlingen CISD Cross Country Invitational.
Martinez, a 2014 state qualifier, finished with a personal best time of 18.07.12, edging out Brownsville Rivera’s Andrea Delarosa (18:07.56).
Martinez hopes to continue to improve and make another run at state.
“My times have been improving steadily and are a little faster this year,” Martinez said. “I hit my PR this week, but I want to get into the 17-minute range by regionals and hopefully finish in the top three at the state meet.
“Today, however, was a good day for my team and because we all work hard no matter what.”
The Lady ’Jackets finished first overall with 75 points. Brownsville Hanna (123), Harlingen South (146), PSJA Southwest (148) and PSJA High (156) rounded out the top five.
Also finishing in the top three was Martinez’s teammate junior Kelly Aguinagua, who finished with a time of 19:27.25.
Aguinagua has really come on this year after battling injuries the last couple of seasons.
“This is my first year my running has been really strong,” Aguinagua explained. “During middle school and my freshman and sophomore years, I’ve had a quad injury and a stress fracture. I’m still a little injured, but now that I’m healthier and stronger, I’ve been able to get up there with her (Martinez) to get points for the team.”
“Both girls have worked hard and have a work ethic that speaks for itself,” said E-E girls coach Juan Perez. “It’s showing right now. I give it up to the kids; it takes a lot of dedication. I’m proud of what the girls have accomplished because it’s been a roller coaster ride this year.”
Over on the boys side, another 2014 state qualifier stood above the rest.
Mercedes’ Jonathan Reyes finished first with a personal best time of 15:14, besting Hidalgo’s Moises Campos (15:50.79 and Brownsville Rivera’s Jonathan Herrera (15:55.84).
Reyes knew he was one of the runners to beat coming into Saturday’s race.
“I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy race. I knew these guys were going to come out and try and beat me,” he said. “I just came out and gave it my hardest to come out on top.”
Saturday was Reyes’ second victory of the season.
“It felt real good to come out and reach my PR. I’ve been working hard in practice and all my meets and it showed here in this meet,” he said. “I hope I can come out a district champion next year.”
Brownsville Rivera finished first as a team with 72 points, followed by PSJA Southwest (88), La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (103), Harlingen (162) and Brownsville Veterans (164).
HCISD Invitational results
Harlingen Sports Complex
Oct. 10, 2015
Girls Results
1. Krista Martinez, Edcouch Elsa, 18:07.12; 2. Andrea DeLaRosa, Brownsville Rivera, 19:27.21; 3. Kelly Aguinagua, E-E, 19:27.25; 4. Alma Villanueva, PSJA Southwest, 19:28.24; 5. Jennifer Lopez, Brownsville Rivera, 19:37.69; 6. Monic Izaguirre, Mercedes, 20:04.03; 7. Jozlynn Richie, PSJA, 20:09.74; 8. Sandra Flores, PSJA, 20:16.84; 9. Mya Price, Harlingen South, 20:21.72; 10. Nadia Sifuentes, Brownsville Hanna, 20:27.22; 11. Leslie Alvarado, EE; 12. Hope Ngo, Brownsville Pace; 13. Sydney Salazar, Hanna; 14. Mikayla Guerra, San Benito, 20:50.78; 15. Reeanna Zamfor, Bro. Vets, 20:52.25; 16. Yareli Tamez, Juarez-Lincoln, 20:53.33; 17. Monica Hernandez, San Benito, 20:54.43; 18. Imelda Garcia, Brownsville Lopez, 21:05.28; 19. Madeline Gonzalez, Mercedes, 21:09.97; 20. Julissa Montoya, La Joya, 21:11.06
Team totals
1. Edcouch Elsa, 75 points; 2. Brownsville Hanna, 123 points; 3. Harlingen South, 146 points; 4. PSJA Southwest, 148 points; 5. PSJA, 156 points
Boys Results
1. Jonathan Reyes, Mercedes, 15:14; 2. Moises Campos, Hidalgo, 15:50.79; 3. Jonathan Hererra, Brownsville Rivera, 15:55.84; 4. Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 16:00.31; 5. Martin Baez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 16:06.62; 6. David De Hoyas, Edcouch Elsa, 16:11.66; 7. Edgar Barraza, PSJA Southwest, 16:13.38; 8. Mauri Cio, Juarez-Lincoln, 16:21.50; 9. Jose Serna, Juarez-Lincoln, 16:22.78; 10. Raul Carziano, Rivera, 16:29.59; 11. Ruben Chapa, Rivera, 16:31.12; 12. Fernando Martinez, Southwest, 16:32.56; 13. Alex Villanueva, Southwest, 16:33.69; 14. Edward Ramos, Harlingen, 16:34.18; 15. Trevor Williams, McAllen Memorial, 16:34.68; 16. Manny Guerrero, Rivera, 16:35.18; 17. Omar Aguiano, Progreso, 16:37.12; 18. Evan Milliams, McAllen Memorial, 16:39.47; 19. Luis Garza, PSJA Memorial, 16:42.53; 20. Everado Esparza, Progreso, 16:50.25
Team totals
1. Brownsville Rivera, 72 points; 2. PSJA Southwest, 88 points; 3. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 103 points; 4. Harlingen, 162 points; 5. Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 164 points