MVHS Cross Country Teams Start Strong

By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA

Moapa Valley Progress

The Moapa Valley High School Cross Country teams started off their season on Saturday, Aug. 25, with a powerful performance at the Red Rock Invitational. Despite the heavy competition, which included athletes from every division in Southern Nevada, the MVHS runners put on an impressive show that may set a precedent for the rest of the season.

The first event of the day was the 2-mile Newcomers’ Race. Pirate athlete Emma Humes earned second place in the event with her time of 11:50. She finished only six seconds behind Cimmaron-Memorial’s Olivia Garcia.

Shelby Olson was the next of Moapa Valley’s runners to cross the finish line, earning fourth place with her time of 12:35. Ayden Morrow medaled in 14th place with her time of 13:40. Lucy Bromley and Haley Bush finished the race with times of 14:29 and 16:20, respectively.
The girls’ placed second overall behind Arbor View.

In the boys’ Newcomers’ Race, Preston Bushman earned a 20th place medal with his time of 11:43. Ryan McMurray finished the event with a time of 13:48.

Next, returning runners competed on a 3 mile course. Hannah Watson and McKinley Bledsoe led the girls’ race, taking 23rd and 24th places with respective times of 23:20 and 23:54. Laura Adams came in 29th with her time of 24:37. Samantha Thompson crossed the finish line in 31st place at 24:50. Annabel Lounsbury and Gabrielle Shiozawa completed the course with respective times of 26:16 and 26:56.

The three returning boys had strong performances as well. After working as a team for most of the race, Preston Humes pulled ahead to take 10th place with a time of 16:28. Bryton Dorsey crossed the finish line at 17:06, taking 16th place. Jerrick Stastny medaled in 20th place with his time of 17:14.

Every runner improved on their past times by an average of two minutes.
“It feels amazing!” commented freshman runner Emma Humes. “I’ve been working super hard, and for it to pay off like this is super great.”

Sophomore Preston Humes added, “We’re really excited for this season. It feels good to be back! I’m hoping to get a record this year.”
Senior Shelby Olson remarked that the race made her feel confident.
“I think I’m going to do really well,” Olson commented. “Having all the girls start out so strong shows that we have a good chance of having a really strong year, and I’m excited about that.”