Madison Contreras and Brookelynn Taylor

Writers

Starting their season at full stride, the Marlow High School Cross Country (XC) Team hosted their first meet at Red Bud Park on Tuesday, September 8.

Seniors Noah Davis, Lane Johnson, Tyler McKinley and Jake Waller have stepped up to take the lead for the boys’ team.

While seniors Grace Banks and LeeAnne Riddle have taken the lead for the girls’ team.

With eight schools from around the surrounding area competing in the meet hosted by Marlow, the high school girls’ team raced against 56 runners while the high school boys’ ran against 55 runners.

After the high school boys’ team ran a two mile race and the girl’s a one mile, both teams placed first overall in their categories. 

Speaking on his insight for the season, Assistant Coach Matt Ivory described his belief in the runners’ ability to compete at a high level, knowing the mindset and drive of the runners on the team.

“We are definitely a very competitive team in class 3A. We have individuals on both the boys’ and girls’ teams that have the potential to be state champions,” Ivory said. “In addition to that, as a team, I would say both teams are definitely in the top five, but our sights are set higher than that.”

While the Outlaw XC teams are setting their hopes high to finish the running season and to place at the State Meet for this year, they have a history of success.

In just this last season, the girls’ team was awarded with sixth place overall in the State Tournament and were Academic Champions with a 4.0 grade point average.

Also occurring in the past year, the boys’ team was presented with seventh place overall in the State Tournament and were Academic Champions with a 3.9 grade point average.  

Despite the XC teams’ last state champion title being in 2003 for the boys’ and 2000 for the girls’, they have continuously worked to improve their skills.

This year, both teams plan to beat their past standings in the State Tournament with the hopes of individual placings too.

Backing Ivory’s proud statement about the running lineup, Head XC Coach Mikey Eaves noted how the runners have progressed since the beginning of their practicing season.

“Being our first meet, it is hard to judge how much they have improved off of meets. Though, I can tell you each runner has improved individually a ton,” Eaves expressed. “I couldn’t be more proud of how they are pushing each other in practice everyday.” 

Reaching the aspirations set by the coaches and setting some of his own, senior Davis placed first in the High School Boys’ two mile run with a time of 11.18.

Going into his fifth year in XC, Davis has set his sights on state for the season with a dream to get a scholarship to college off his running.

“Before the Marlow meet, I went to Marietta by myself and got 5th place. I ran a 17 flat which is pretty good for the first meet,” explained Davis. “This season I hope to win state individually and set my PR (personal record) at 16.50 for a 5K.”

While reaching the goals set by the team is a highly sought after journey, the work that goes into accomplishing these end-targets helps define each runner as they grow throughout the season.

Taking into consideration what pushes her to finish her races, sophomore Kyah Blundell, who is going into her third year in XC, spoke about the driving force behind the team’s success.

“When I run well, it motivates me to keep running,” Blundell said.“At the Marlow Meet, we all did really well. We got 1st place, 2nd place, and our third girl was 9th place. That is the motivation we need. We all need to stay together and stay towards the top.”

With upcoming meets in the near future, the Outlaw XC teams will continue to push their limits with hopes to qualify for the State Meet that will be held October 31 in Edmond.

Their next meet, the Lawton Senior High School/Eisenhower High School (LHS/IKE) Invitational, will be held on Friday, September 18 at the Cameron University McCord Baseball Field at 11:30 a.m.