X-Country improves times

The Saratoga Middle/High School (SMHS) Cross Country Team consistently shaved time off of their races at last weeks Rawlins Invite.

The boys varsity team alone were 3 minutes 19 seconds faster than their performance in Green River the week before.

Coach Rex Hohnholt said "we had a tremendous week of work heading in to that meet," and he was worried the team would be tired. "It bodes well for our future," Hohnholt said of the consistently faster times.

Varsity boys Andrew Oiler and Jeremy Detterer ran the 5k in 19:29 and 20:00 taking 13th and 20th place respectively. Hohnholt is encouraged by having two boys right at the 20 minute barrier.

Three other boys, varsity runners Hunter Mason and Aaron Kerbs, and JV runner Gage Bartlett all finished under 21 minutes. Hohnholt said that the team has a really good grouping with the one to five runners and that will help the Panthers catch up to to some of the faster teams.

"I thought our girls ran really well," Hohnholt said. He is impressed to see varsity runners Kelsie Samson running close to a 24:00 5k and Katie Loose coming in under 25:00. Hohnholt has also seen big improvement in Cruz Escobedo.

Overall, Hohnholt said the middle school team is getting better every week.

In preparation for next weeks Liberty Bell Invite in Littleton, Colo., Hohnholt is going to have the team focus on the basics of stride, form and hydration. He said the team already has a habit of looking at the problems from the week before and changing accordingly. "Our kids really take a challenge and make improvement every week," Hohnholt said.

"I think our team is right where we need to be and I'm excited for them." Hohnholt said, adding, "Hopefully we'll keep seeing improvement."

The upcoming Liberty Bell Invitation Cross Country meet is on Sept. 12 in Littleton, Colo.