MVHS Cross Country Gets Two Team Wins

By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA

Moapa Valley Progress

The Moapa Valley High School Cross Country runners competed in their first two 5K races of the season last week. The two meets fell within 48 hours of each other. Each race featured substantial wins for the Pirates, hopefully setting a standard for the rest of the season.

The MVHS athletes competed at Hemenway Park in Boulder City on Thursday evening. The runners battled fierce winds as they raced in soft sand and gravel, along uphill stretches of concrete, and along grassy switchbacks.
“It was a true cross country course,” said MVHS Boys’ Coach Gary Watkins.

In the girls’ race, Emma Humes and Shelby Olson worked together throughout the race and took first and second place with their respective times of 23:03 and 23:16. Finishers included Hannah Watson, 26:16; McKinley Bledsoe, 27:57; Samantha Thompson, 29:00; Laura Adams, 29:11; Alexa Canfield, 33:56; Annabel Lounsbury, 35:33; Miranda Robison, 35:40; and Haley Bush, 37:20.

In the boys’ race, Preston Humes took first place with his time of 19:01. Bryton Dorsey and Jerrick Stastny placed fourth and fifth with respective times of 19:21 and 19:38. Other finishers included Max Shambaugh, 21:36; Preston Bushman, 22:39; Ryan McMurray, 25:30; and Alex Villezcas, 26:38.

The girls and boys teams each placed first overall, beating out the competition, including Boulder City, and Somerset Academy.
“I have such a runner’s high right now!” commented freshman Emma Humes. “The racing atmosphere is so fun, and when you win, it’s one of the best feelings ever.”

On Saturday, September 15, the Pirates hosted an invitational at the Clark County Fairgrounds.
In the girls’ race, Emma Humes and Shelby Olson again took the top two spots, finishing with their respective times of 21:44 and 22:03. Finishers included Hannah Watson, 24:29; McKinley Bledsoe, 24:48; Ayden Morrow, 24:54; Samantha Thompson, 25:21; Laura Adams, 25:53; Haley Bush, 30:12; Miranda Robison, 30:48; Gabrielle Shiozawa, 31:51; Alexa Canfield, 34:33; and Annabel Lounsbury, 34:34.

In the boys’ race, Preston Humes, Bryton Dorsey, and Jerrick Stastny took the top three spots with their respective times of 17:58, 18:14, and 19:03. Finishers included Max Shambaugh, 20:10; Preston Bushman, 21:02; Ryan McMurray, 24:29; and Alex Villezcas, 25:16.

The Pirate teams took first place overall, beating out the competition, including Coral Academy, and Somerset Academy.
“I’m really stoked for this year,” said senior, Shelby Olson. “Every race, I get more and more excited about the things to come for us.”

Sophomore Preston Humes added, “It feels great! I like where we’re headed. I hope our team goes to region and state, and maybe even takes region this year.”