By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
The cross country season ended this week, with several East Valley runners competing at UIL and TAPPS state meets.
Brownsville St. Joseph’s boys were the state runners-up at the TAPPS 5A meet Monday. The Bloodhounds recorded a score of 108, led by sophomore Jorge Albores and senior Pedro Cardenas finishing sixth and seventh. Alejandro Ramirez (14th), Juan Gonzalez Trevino (34th) and Mauricio Gonzalez Trevino (57th) contributed to the team score.
The Brownsville IDEA Frontier boys had the best team outing of any UIL school, claiming a fourth-place finish in Class 3A. Carlos Zavala led the way with a 32nd-place finish, followed by Aaron Aguirre (45th), Jose Medina (50th), Juan Jimenez (78th) and Jose Blanco (83rd) contributing to the team score of 156. Alejandro Maldonado and Edgar Ortiz also competed. With the entire team returning next season, coach Alberto Alanis said the Chargers “are coming for that trophy next year.”
La Feria’s girls and boys teams advanced to state and competed Saturday. The Lionettes earned fifth place with a team score of 170. Sophomore Liana Navarro recorded a top 10 finish at her second consecutive state meet, taking seventh place with a time of 11 minutes, 33.5 seconds. Mia Trevino (53rd), Leandra Fernandez (56th), Lindsey Cantu (67th) and Cierra Garcia (83rd) were scored. Mia Cerda and Jasmine Villagomez finished 103rd and 142nd.
The Lions placed ninth. Evan Torres (12th), Joshua Marquez (58th), Christopher Velazquez (80th), Brandon Salinas (90th) and Tomas Navarro (130th) contributed to the team score. Noah Rosales (135th) and Julio Cruz (139th) also competed.
San Perlita’s boys competed Friday in Class 1A and claimed a 14th-place finish. Diego Ortiz was the top Trojans finisher, crossing in 58th. Jose Lozano (73rd), Ethen Romo (116th), Ely Terry (123rd), Eloy Zamorano (127th), Mike Molina (130th) and Nathan Chavez (146th) also competed.
Brownsville St. Joseph’s girls finished 15th on Monday. The Lady Bloodhounds were represented by Valeria Bazan (47th), Zoe Voreis (66th), Kylee Voreis (91st), Eloisa Hinojosa (96th), Amanda Hinojosa (102nd), Lucia Gonzalez (116th) and Alejandra Gonzalez (117th).
Among individuals, Harlingen High’s Geovany Cisneros and Dominic Luna finished 16th and 49th in the Class 6A boys competition. Brownsville Veterans Memorial sophomore Naia Gracia placed 84th in the girls Class 5A race.
Lasara’s Victoria Velazquez and Selissa Gonzales finished 28th and 70th in the girls Class 1A race Friday. Santa Maria’s Mia Picazo finished 37th in the Class 2A girls competition, and Juan Morales was 45th in the boys race.