Bronco cross country teams return to action with strong week

by Jessica Walker
Contributing Writer
After two weeks without races, the San Juan High School cross country team got right back in the saddle this past week competing at the Red Rock Invitational in Moab on September 27 and the Chicken Creek Challenge in Mancos, CO on September 30.
Concerning terrain, the two courses were completely opposite of each other. The Moab Golf Course is primarily flat while the Mancos course is hilly dirt trails set in the midst of forested mountains.
Both courses appeared to agree with the Broncos. In Moab, North Sevier edged out the boys team by a mere four points, giving San Juan a second-place finish.
Edward Lyman won the boys race outright, sailing through the course and beating the nearest competition by several seconds.
Ryan McCullough followed Lyman with an excellent seventh-place finish. Abe Lyman and Austin Pincock finished next in 11th and 13th followed by Noah Begay, Toby Ward, and Platte Lyman in 22nd, 28th, and 33rd.
The girls team came home fifth but more impressive than their overall placing is the fact they beat region rival North Sevier.
The Lady Broncos must place in the top three at the Region 15 race on October 17 to advance to the state race. Region foes North Summit and Grand County are currently the top two teams in the 2A standings.
Beating the North Sevier team, which is currently ranked third in the region, and advancing to State, looks possible for the San Juan girls team.
Brittany Jensen paced the girls in Moab with a 15th-place performance. Sincere Nez finished 18th and Brinley Jones took 19th. Close behind were Ada Lyman and Sierra Black in 32nd and 39th.
Following Black and completing the varsity roster were Leah Johnson in 45th and Harmony Oshley in 50th.
In Mancos, the boys team dominated, winning the entire meet with a score of 14 points. The first five members of the varsity team each earned the distinction of a top-ten individual finish.
Edward Lyman and Abe Lyman crossed the finish line in first and second places. Only seven seconds separated the duo.
Noah Begay, Ryan McCullough, and Platte Lyman came next in fourth, seventh, and ninth. Rounding out the varsity squad were Austin Pincock in 13th and Jack Kartchner in 21st.
The girls team also performed well with a second-place finish behind Monticello. Brittany Jensen and Sincere Nez led the team with fifth- and eighth-place finishes.
Brinley Jones came in close behind in 11th. Jones was followed by Ada Lyman in 17th and Sierra Black in 27th. Rose Kartchner and Harmony Oshley rounded out the varsity runners in 28th and 29th.
After two stellar races, the Broncos are right back at it this Wednesday, October 4 when they welcome all their local opponents and several others to their home course.
For those wanting to support the Bronco harriers, the John Thornton Invitational will begin at 4 p.m. at Pacheco Trails behind the visitor center. In case of inclement weather, the race will start at the high school.