Pirate Cross Country Runner Sets New Record

By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA

Moapa Valley Progress

Moapa Valley High School (MVHS) Pirate Cross Country competed in their last two races of the regular season last week. On Saturday, October 6, the team competed in the Lake Mead Invitational at Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City. Because Regionals and State will also take place on this course, this meet served as a great opportunity for MVHS to get some experience on the winding, sandy course.

The week before, Emma Humes beat the school’s previous 5k record with a time of 21:04. On Saturday, Shelby Olson beat that new record with her time of 20:14, and she placed first in the race.
“I’m still in shock and can’t believe I was able to go that fast!” commented Olson, a senior. “I pushed myself to limits I never imagined I was capable of.”

Emma Humes placed second in the race with her time of 20:36. Other Pirate finishers included McKinley Bledsoe, 23:40; Hannah Watson, 23:43; Samantha Thompson, 24:08; and Lucy Bromley, 24:11.

In the boys’ race, Preston Humes placed second at 17:12. Jerrick Stastny came in fourth at 17:42. First place finisher Christian Franklin from Valley High had a time of 16:18.

Other MVHS competitors included Bryton Dorsey, 18:07; Preston Bushman, 20:33; Rory Bylund, 23:24; Ryan McMurray, 23:59; and Alex Villezcas, 24:06.
The girls’ team placed first overall. The boys’ team placed fourth.

In the Varsity B girls’ race, Laura Adams led the Pirates at 25:01. Other runners included Alexa Canfield, 27:24; Annabel Lounsbury, 27:48; Haley Bush, 28:34; Miranda Robison, 28:38; and Gabrielle Shiozawa, 29:51. The team placed seventh overall.

Earlier that week, MVHS competed at the tough-and-hilly Hemenway Park for the second time this season. Every Pirate runner improved on their past times on the course by at least one minute.
Shelby Olson led the race until the last 100-yard stretch when Emma Humes pulled ahead for a first place finish at 21:24. Olson finished in second place with a 21:30.

Other Pirate finishers included Hannah Watson, 23:57; Lucy Bromley, 25:26; Samantha Thompson, 25:50; McKinley Bledsoe, 26:38; Laura Adams, 26:58; Alexa Canfield, 29:10; Annabel Lounsbury, 29:52; Miranda Robison, 30:39; Gabrielle Shiozawa, 31:12; and Haley Bush, 31:52.

In the boys’ race, Preston Humes led the Pirates with a 17:37 finish for third place. Jerrick Stastny placed fourth with his time of 18:01. First place winner Christian Franklin from Valley High finished at 17:05.
Other MVHS finishers included Bryton Dorsey, 18:36; Max Shambaugh, 19:50; Preston Bushman, 21:09; Colton Ruff, 22:27; Ryan McMurray, 23:49; Rory Bylund, 23:58; and Alex Villezcas, 25:41.

The girls’ and boys’ teams both placed second overall, falling to Boulder City and Pahrump Valley, respectively.

This week, Pirates compete in the Southern Division Finals on Saturday in Las Vegas.