The Medina Valley Invitational was held on the campus of Medina Valley I.S.D. school grounds in Castroville. This meet had divisions for High School runners only with races starting at 9:00 am and then subsequent start times at thirty minute intervals. This meet hosted schools from San Antonio ISD, Northside ISD, and surrounding rural school districts. All school classifications were mixed, so 1-A schools were running right along with huge 5-A schools. |
 With over twenty schools participating, the fields were huge. In the Boys' Varsity division, there were approximately one hundred and forty runners. |
 Stacey runners in blue and white in the middle of the pack at start of the Boys' race. |
 First year runner, Garrett Wimsatt at beginning of the three lap course jockeying for position as runners approach first 90 degree turn. |
 About one mile into the race, Charles Atkinson is finding his pace. |
 Robert Rayburn after one mile trying to catch his breath as he checks the terrain for rocks and sticks. |
 Garrett Wimsatt found the right pace today as he finished strong in his second cross country race. |
 Jaxon Moton had some feet/shoe issues last week and struggled to finish but today he was pedal to the medal finishing fourth out of the Stacey Boys' team. About four runners back and coming up on the outside is Josh Knippel sprinting for the tape. |
 Josh Knippel (on right) and Jaxon Moton (to left) sprinting towards the finish at the end of their three mile race. Just finishing up ahead and entering the chute is Garrett Wimsatt. |
 First year runner, Alex Ramos seen here at mid-way point of three mile race. Alex had a great run in just his second cross country race and was the second Stacey team runner through the chute. |
 Like a stampede of cattle, the Boys' JV division race had close to one hundred and sixty-five runners. Somewhere down the hill you can just see Austin Ptomey (between two runners in black). |
 Even though there wasn't an opportunity for them to run in this race, many of the Middle School runners from the Stacey Cross Country team came along to support their High School team members. Here, some parents, Dardo Salgado, Kelly Knippel, Tawnee Wimsatt, Leium and Ghedion Stuart are cheering for runners as they finish their last lap. |
 With about two-hundred meters to go, Austin Ptomey starts planning his finishing kick. |
 Sophmore runner Ashlee Kelps keeping nice pace on lap two of her two mile race. |
 In the High School Boys' division, Robert Rayburn, Garrett Wimsatt, Charles Atkinson, Josh Knippel, Jovanny Ibarra, and Jaxon Moton get together prior to the start of their three mile/three lap race to discuss race strategy.
Next week's race is on Lackland AFB as Stacey will compete in the Fourth Annual FEAST Patriot Invitational. See web page link for more information. |
