Jasper cross country earn regional trips
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

MEMBERS OF THE JASPER CROSS COUNTRY teams will attend the Regional meet Saturday, Nov. 3. Pictured left are the girls varsity team. Back row: Allison Collins, Hannah Vickers, Natalie Dufner, Charlotte O'Brien. Front row: Kelsey Walker, Harlena Hadnot,Tenisha Hadnot, Lauren Morgan. Pictured right are the boys' varsity team. Back row: Robert Adams, Zach Riggins, David Cleveland, Mathew Barrows, Seth Bevil Front row: DJ Jackson, Jack Sanderson, Shun-Marcus Preston,Trayton Oakes.

Both of Jasper High School's varsity cross country teams will be heading to region at North Harris College in Houston, Saturday, Nov. 3, a goal they set at the beginning of the season.

"We're really excited about our teams," Coach Terry Young said. "They have continued to improve their times over the season. For some, it is their first time to experience cross country."

Zach Riggins led the boys team to a second place finish at the District 21-3A meet at Claiborne Park in Vidor last Wednesday. Riggins medaled in eighth place on the threemile course with a time of 19:09, followed by Jasper's second individual medalist, Robert Adams, who placed 10th overall with a time of 20:08.

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy

In addition to Riggins and Adams, the Bulldogs' top runners who earned points for the team placement were Adam James, 20:27; David Cleveland. 21:04; and Matt Barrows, 21:08.

The Bulldog teams set their sights on getting both varsity teams to the Region III compet ition very early in the season, a feat that has been out of reach for the girls in the past few years. Individual girls have competed at region, but they haven't gone as a team for a long time. Jasper girls won the district title in 1988.

So when freshmen Charlotte O'Brien and Lauren Morgan finished in the top ten, leading the Lady Bulldogs to a third place finish, it was sweet victory and hope for better days ahead.

"We're so proud of these girls," Young said. "It's a great experience to see these girls who are so young do so well, and it sets a solid foundation for the future."

O'Brien, in fourth place, and Lauren Morgan, 10th, were Jasper's other two individual medalists. O'Brien ran the

two-mile course in 14:00 and Morgan finished in14:24.

Rounding out the team points were runners Allison Collins at 14:34; Hannah Vickers, 16:00; and Kelsey Walker, 16:18.

Junior varsity placed second with runners Savion Wright in the lead at 21:28; followed by Dylan Riggins, 21:46; Sean Marcus Preston, 22:28; DJ Jackson, 22:55; and Parker Stover; 23:52.

Bridge City won all divisions.

Young said that his teams' times were a little slower than anticipated.

"We expected the course to be perfectly flat as it was last year," he said. "But last year's meet was right after a flood and the course was different. It had been redesigned this year so their were dips and inclines that we didn't expect."

The district honors capped a good season and Young gives credit to senior students whose leadership has helped the team.

"The highlight of the season has been our senior leadership," he said. "Zach Riggins, DJ Jackson and David Cleveland have done an outstanding job."

The Region III meet will be hosted by North Harris College near Houston Saturday. To get there, take U.S. Highway 59 S and exit R (west) on FM 1960. Turn left on Aldine Westfield, then Right on WW Thorne Dr. to the school.

The Class 3A girls division run begins at 12:30 p.m. Boys Class 3A will begin at 12:50 p.m.