MVHS Cross Country Teams Keep Running Strong

By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA

Moapa Valley Progress

The Homecoming festivities didn’t deter the Moapa Valley High School Cross Country teams from excelling in two invitationals and breaking a school record last week.

The Falcon Invitational at Foothill High School on Saturday, September 29 included athletes from 26 schools. One team came from as far as Australia to compete.

Emma Humes started out the day’s events by taking fifth place in the freshman/sophomore race. Her time of 21:04 broke the previous MVHS record, 21:37, which was set in 1998 by Humes’ mother and coach, Heather Humes.
“It felt amazing!” commented Emma Humes. “This means the world to me.”
“I just feel lucky to be coaching as my own high school records fall,” said Coach Humes. “I feel like I hit the jackpot seeing my daughter be the one to do it!”

Other Pirate finishers in the invitational included Ayden Morrow, 23:49; McKinley Bledsoe, 24:06; Hannah Watson, 24:37; Samantha Thompson, 25:20; Lucy Bromley, 25:30; Alexa Canfield, 27:17; Haley Bush, 29:26; and Annabel Lounsbury, 29:26.

Preston Humes placed second in the boys’ freshman/sophomore race with his time of 17:21. Other finishers included Max Shambaugh, 19:43; Preston Bushman, 20:27; Rory Bylund, 23:08; and Alex Villezcas, 24:45.

Senior Bryton Dorsey ran in the junior/senior footrace and finished with a time of 18:02.
The girls’ and boys’ teams placed sixth and seventh overall.
Earlier in the week, MVHS hosted their last home meet of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Shelby Olson and Emma Humes are always neck-and-neck, but Olson was the one to pull ahead and take first place with a time of 22:11.04. Humes finished with a time of 22:11.54.

Other finishers included Hannah Watson, 24:49; Ayden Morrow, 25:11; McKinley Bledsoe, 26:46; Samantha Thompson, 26:59; Lucy Bromley, 27:12; Laura Adams, 27:34; Annabel Lounsbury, 30:58; Alexa Canfield, 31:15; Miranda Robison, 31:43; Gabrielle Shiozawa, 32:09; and Haley Bush, 32:33. The team took first place overall, beating out Boulder City and Somerset Academy Losee.

In the boys’ race, Jerrick Stastny placed third with his time of 18:28, and Preston Humes took fifth place with a time of 18:50. Other racers included Bryton Dorsey, 19:02; Preston Bushman, 21:07; and Max Shambaugh, 22:01. The boys placed second overall behind Somerset Academy Losee.
“I’m very pleased,” commented Coach Gary Watkins. “With just a few races left, we are positioning ourselves well for postseason events.”

“There’s still room for improvement over the next few weeks remaining in the season,” added Coach Humes. “But if they stay focused, more success will follow.”