The Fort Stockton High School Panther and Prowler cross country teams invaded the land of the Golden Crane to participate in the Crane Cross Country Invitational last Saturday. Teams from all over the Permian Basin and the South Plains took to the course in hopes of setting their best times of the season.

The varsity boys began the day with a 5K run and Jose Aguilar led the Panthers with a time of 20:48. Khalil Jackson was right behind with a time of 22:46.2.

Competing at the Varsity level for the first time, and crossing the line were Derik Waight with a time of 24:30.7; Kae’on Luna with a time of 25:57.8, and Bruno Arcides with a 26:02.8.

“I am extremely proud of the boys for competing at the next level and not making any excuses as to why they can’t.” Coach Robby Glasscock said.

The Varsity girls finished third as a team as Ali Jackson led the way to a fourth-place individual finish in a time of 22:12.9. Summer Hinojos medaled with a time of 23:54.7 for a 12th place finish; Ingrid Aguilar, running her second varsity race, finished with a time of 25:38.1 to gain some valuable points for the Prowlers. Natalie Edwards ran a solid race with a 27:22.7 and Paulina Hernandez ran a 27:33.4.

Other Prowler finishers were Natalie Molinar with a 28:14.1 and Marlayna Salmon with a 30:11.2. Madi Castro and Lexi Pillado ran the division two 2-mile race and finished with times of 16:02.0 and 17:18.3 respectively. Madi and Lexi ran against 114 other runners from various schools.

This was the second meet for the Junior High teams and Bradalay Jimenez blistered the course for the young Prowlers in a time of 15:10.9 running against 157 total runners.

“I am really proud of Bradalay as she continues to get better every day and every meet,” Glasscock said. “She definitely displays the true meaning of what a Prowler should be.”

Izabella Bolivar recorded a 19:32.5 two-mile time and is improving every day.

Other junior high Prowler finishers were Alisha Padilla with a time of 23:42.8; Serenidad Vasquez at 26:28.20, and Alyssa Pillado with a 26:43.1.

The two junior high Panther boys running for the second consecutive week were Julian Vasquez and Angel Marquez. The two-mile race was composed of 161 runners and Julian finished with a 15:18.4 and Angel with a 15:41.3.

“I am proud of all of our runners, especially the junior high runners as they are figuring out what it takes to not only compete physically but mentally as well,” Glasscock added.

The cross country teams will return to action Saturday in Wink.