DHS cross country teams place third

The Daingerfield Cross Country teams competed at the District 14-3A Cross Country Meet on Wednesday, Oct. 19. The meet was held at Daingerfield State Park, and both Varsity teams placed third, qualifying them for regionals.

In the varsity girls division, the top three finishers for the Lady Tigers were Jakayla Neal placing seventh, Madison Cox placing ninth and Layla Johnston placing eighteenth. Jakayla and Madison received a medal for their top ten finishes. Also running were Claire Smith placing twentieth, Yesenia Bravo placing twenty-first, Kahleyia Johnson placing twentyninth and Jazmin Solis thirty-second. As a team these young ladies finished third, which qualifies them to the Region II Cross Country Championships to be held at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie. “I am so proud of these young ladies. They battled through some adversity on race day and carried each other through,” said Coach Dana Carter.

In the junior varsity girls division,: the top three finishers for the Lady Tigers were Elasia Alexander placing third, Claudia Lopez placing seventh, and Gekayla Alexander placing eighth. Also running were Amber Douglas placing ninth, Jakia Neal placing fourteenth and Demontisia Hedrix placing fifteenth. Elasia, Claudia, Gekayla and Amber received medals for their top ten finishes. As a team these ladies finished second, making them the district runner-up.

In the varsity boys division, the top three finishers for the Tigers were Juan Olguin placing third, Nathaniel Dancer placing sixteenth and David Perez placing twenty-second. Juan received a medal for this third place finish. Also running were Angelo Vasquez placing twenty third, Moises Alejo placing twenty-fourth, Nicholas Ferguson placing twentyninth, and DeAndre Jimmerson placing thritieth. As a team, these guys finished third, which qualifies them to the Region II Cross Country Championships to be held at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie.

In the junior varsity boys division, the top three finishers for the Tigers were Joseph Moss placing ninth, Jason Vaughn placing twelfth, Jordan Whelchel placing thirteenth, Justin Bailey placing twentieth, Isaac Taylor placing twenty-first, Keith Bryson placing twenty-second and Jansen Laney placing twenty-third. Joseph Moss received a medal for his top ten finish. As a team these young men finished second, making them the district runner-up.

In the junior high girls division, the top three finishers for the Lady Tigers were Breana Williams placing eighth, Laura Carter placing eleventh, Sasha Neal placing twenty-sixth, Saanaa Fields placing twenty-ninth, Joi Akinsuroju placing thirtysixth, Za’Mya Wilbarger placing thirty-seventh, Sydney Key placing thirtyninth, Karley Nix placing fortieth, Jasmine Mendez placing forty-second, Genesis Allen placing forty-third, Alayah Alexander placing fortyfifth, Kelbi Byrd placing forty-ninth, Haley Lewis placing fiftieth, Ashlyn Bruce placing fifty-second, Tyler Hayden placing fiftythird, Julissa Chavez placing fifty-fourth and Ariana Lewis placing fifty-fifth. Breana received a medal for her top 10 finish. As a team these young ladies placed fifth.

In the junior high boys division, the top three finishers for the Tigers were Austin Terry placing twelfth, Dylan Baxter placing twenty-first, Sonny Wu placing thirty-first, Son Son Sueong placing thirtyeighth and Jaylon Evans placing forty-first. As a team these young men placed fourth.

“It has been a great season full of improvements. These younger kids are doing a great job and the future looks bright! As for the older kids, I couldn’t be more proud of you and all that you have accomplished thus far. I am so thankful for the hard work that all of you have put in and can’t wait to see what we do this weekend at the Region II Cross Country Championships,” said Coach Carter.

The girls’ teams are coached by Dana Carter, and the boys are coached by Coach Curtis Lewis.