by Andrea Jauregui, Runner & Eagle Beat Reporter
The Fairfield Cross Country team traveled to their first meet of the season on Saturday, September 2nd , the SFA Lumberjack Invitational in Nacogdoches. Runners expected there to be muddy conditions, but they did not expect to have mud covering their arms and legs.
Varsity boys competed first, their race included both 5A and 6A schools. Out of 160 competitors, Hunter Noland finished in 52nd place, making him Fairfield’s top male runner. Next was Andy Smith in 61st place, Bryce Harrison in 75th place, Joey Davis in 90th place, Deandre Rosales in 101th place, Landen Espinoza in 126th place, Noah Van in 129th place, and David West in 154th place. Overall, the boys placed 11th out of 19 teams.
Varsity girls placed 1st out of 17 teams, defeating one of their rivals Lufkin Hudson. The top runner was Madison Smith who finished 1st out of 129 runners. Morgan Coleman placed 4th, Alexis Rodriguez placed 9th, Victoria Donohoo placed 16th, Britain Bossier 18th, Erica McQuinn 25th, and Michelle Rosales 35th.
The last race to take place was the JV girls, they also placed 1st as a team. Individually, Brooke Leatherman placed 2nd and was the JV top runner. Natalia Salazar placed 4th, Jenny Pina placed 5th, Michelle Munoz placed 7th, Melanie Pina placed 8th, Kailee Marchand placed 11th, Diana Castaneda placed 19th, Joyce Ferguson placed 28th, Andrea Jauregui placed 33rd, Hannah Leatherman placed 46th, Coral Chavez placed 54th, and Alex Castaneda placed 73rd.
Fairfield cross country runners next upcoming race will be the Region preview in Huntsville, on Saturday, September 9th.
