Greenhill/Luke’s Locker 6-Mile Relay
The Jesuit Ranger cross country team started their season on the right foot Saturday, August 27th at the Greenhill/Luke’s Locker 6-mile relay. The Rangers had seven teams competing, with the varsity “A” team finishing second, and the varsity “B” team finishing seventh out of the forty-one team field. The varsity squad was led by Henry Beckman, a junior participating in his first cross country meet. Beckman posted a time of 8:03, the fastest among Jesuit Runners. When asked about the meet Henry said it “went really well,” and was “a really fun experience.” This is Beckman’s first year running cross country and he “is looking forward to a great year.”
Filling out the varsity “A” team were senior captains Ben Mckinney (8:09) and Jack Betz, (8:16) and junior Charlie Thorton (8:08). The team finished with a time of 32:37, a great way to start the year. The varsity “B” team also started the year well. Junior Francisco Almaguer led the team to a seventh-place finish with a time of 8:18.
In the JV races, Freshman Ethan Irrobali, also competing in his first cross country meet, posted a time of 8:48. Additionally, Senior James Mckinney finished with a time of 8:59 to lead the JV “A” team to a third-place finish. All things considered, this was a great start for the team.
Marcus/Coach T Invitational
On September 3rd, the team had their second meet of the season. The starting line was packed last Saturday at the Marcus/Coach T invitational with over 200 runners participating in the varsity race alone. Teams from all over the state were represented, and it was an extremely competitive race.
The Rangers finished 18th as a team, their top individual runner was junior Charlie Thorton. Thorton set a new personal record and finished with a time of 16:27 in the 3-mile race and placed 52nd overall.
The other Rangers who competed in the varsity race were juniors, Henry Beckman and Francisco Almaguer, and seniors Ben Mckinney and Jack Betz. Beckman finished 81st overall with a time of 16:50. Mckinney and Betz finished 115th and 117th with times of 17:16 and 17:18 respectively. Almaguer rounded out the varsity race finishing 129th with a time of 17:26.
The team began their weekly recognitions on Wednesday, recognizing runners in different categories. This is a tradition after every meet, the categories include varsity runner of the week, JV runner of the week, newcomer of the week, and most improved runner of the week. Taking home varsity runner of the week was Charlie Thorton with the top time and new PR. Francisco Almaguer won most improved also setting a new personal record. Henry Beckman won newcomer of the week, this is his first year running cross country and his second varsity performance. Junior varsity runner of the week went to freshman Ethan Irrobali. Ethan finished 9th overall in his first high school 5k with a time of 18:19.
The Rangers are off to a great start this season, and Coach Clark is “super happy with the way things have gone.” Saying that she is “super proud of the competitors on the team,” and is “looking forward to a great year!”
The Rangers will continue their season this Saturday, September 17th at the Lovejoy XC Fall Festival where they will look to continue their great season.