As expected, the fields were huge and it was hot and humid when the Stacey runners took the course at Brooks City Base for the UTSA Invitational. In the Junior Varsity division, 8th grader Jennifer ZImmerman finished 25th in a race of 286 runners who were for the most part, high school runners. In the Girls' 1A Varsity race, Stephanie Glatt placed 3rd and was closely followed by Megan Benoit in 4th. Tawnee Wimsatt and Nicole Franz were not far behind finishing at 9th and 22nd respectively. In the Boys' JV race, 8th grader, Josh Manley was the top Stacey runner finishing 44th among 236 runners. J.P. Bernard took 61st and was followed by Kurt Stuebs, Shabazz Dawkins, Mario Salgado, and Marcus Ware. In the Boys' Varsity race, Garrett Wimsatt and Cody Miller earned a trophy as they placed 16th and 20th overall. Other runners from Stacey placing near the middle of the field were Charles Atkinson, Carlos Salgado, and Darrell Sanders.

Running in the Girls' JV division, 8th grader Jennifer Zimmerman did well competing with mostly high school runners as she placed 25th in the field of almost 300 runners.

The fantastic four (from left to right: Nicloe Franz, Tawnee Wimsatt, Stephanie Glatt and Megan Benoit) take off at the start of the girls' 1A race. They would later finish 3rd, 4th, 9th and 22nd (Stephanie @ 13:53, Megan @ 14:08, Tawnee @ 14:23 and Nicole @ 15:21).

Stephanie Glatt catching some air as she passes over the electronic timing device just prior to the finish line.

Megan Benoit finishing fourth and having a great season as she begins to find her form as a returning district finalist.

Ms Dependable - always there and always consistent with her running times, Tawnee Wimsatt pulling her weight on the girls' team.

A great addition to the team this year, Nicole Franz always provides leadership and direction to the younger runners with her hard-work attitude.

First year cross country runner, Kurt Stuebs kicking it in to the finish line about 200 meters ahead.

With several races for experience now, Mario Salgado is looking much more comfortable and confident - even in races with high school runners as was the case at the UTSA meet.

Increasing his pace speed every week, Shabazz Dawkins is no doubt starting to feel more comfortable running now with a good four weeks training behind him.

Using his skills as a sprinter, Marcus Ware always manages to pass a few runners as he approaches the finish line.

A talented athlete on the courts and on the course, Darrell Sanders has been consistent and running well in all meets to date.

Cody 'Hard-Work' Miller, dueling it out against a runner from D'Hanis and fighting for a 20th slot.

The oldest of the Salgado brothers, Carlos finishing strong over the last few meters to the finish. Somewhat slowed, Carlos had to stop at mid-way in race to remove a rock from his shoe.

It took him a few races, but Garrett Wimsatt finally put it all together and ran a good strong race from start to finish and recorded the best time of the day for Stacey runners and his personal best for a 3-mile course.

The next race we've picked is the Floresville Invitational @ Floresville High School on September 29th.