Fort Stockton returning state cross country qualifier Ali Jackson has wasted no time making her presence known in West Texas this season.

The junior competed in the Division I girls race at the Tall City Invitational on Aug. 27 and finished in third place against competition largely residing in Class 6A and 5A.

Just how good was Jackson’s performance on Saturday? Her time during (21 minutes 5 seconds) would have been good enough to place in the top 76 of the Division 2 varsity boy’s race that featured 189 runners. Teammate Summer Hinojos, who is a freshman, crossed the finish line nearly a minute after Jackson and finished in 10th place out of 49 runners that competed in the

division. In the Division 2 varsity boy’s race, Jesus Hernandez led the Panthers with an eighth-place finish (18:55) and freshman Diego Ronquillo crossed the finish line in 22nd place (19:52). Aryan Hernandez took 23rd and Luis Medina placed 25th. The performances by the Panthers top four runners led to a third-place finish as a team without Fabian Perez, the teams lone returning state qualifier.

“All divisions competed well and we are excited to keep working, raising the bar, and growing as a program,” head coach Sergio Guardiola said.

Guardiola added that he is optimistic that Perez will return soon to the program. Fort Stockton will head to Crane on Sept. 3.