Both Teams Capture Meet Wins At Marietta
Sulphur cross country teams started the season off with a bang last Saturday, each winning a first place trophy in the Marietta Red River Showdown. Their counterparts in the junior high division also scored well, the boys winning third and girls second.
Although the Dogs did not have an individual winner, seven team members medaled and that was enough to give the team a first place trophy in their inaugural event to launch the season.
Six Sulphur Lady Bulldogs medaled in the event including a first place from Jayden Lee.
“I was really pleased with how the boys ran in their first meet of the year,” said head coach Emile Heitland. “Bringing home the team trophy is always a good confidence booster — a clear affirmation that their hard work and dedication are paying off.
Heitland attributed his team’s success to the hard work they put in over the summer.
Cross Country
“Their hard work over the summer was evident in their performance. Despite the heat and a really tough, hilly course, the team looked strong, especially impressive for this early in the season,” he said.
Medaling for the Dogs were Morgan Brown 5th, Calvin Downey 6th, Keaton Seitz 7th, Noah Heitland 11th, Korbin Mayo 12th, Zak Kirk 13th, and Andrew Hail 14th.
The girls were led by first place winner Jayden Lee. “I was very proud of how well the girls ran Saturday,” said head coach Kari Seitz. “Marietta is a tough course, so coming away as the meet champions shows how hard they’ve already been working to get ready for the season... and it sets the tone for the rest of the season. They have been so dedicated all summer, so it was great to see it pay off. ”
Following Lee, the Lady Bulldogs were led by Hannah Hail 4th, Rory McMillan 5th, Paxtyn Hiser 6th, Mady Hatfield 12th, and Daniela Rojo Rios 20th.
Boys 3rd, Girls 2nd In Junior High Divisions
The Sulphur junior high teams also performed well in the meet, the boys winning third and girls second.
Jake Mann led the boys with a first place finish followed by Dautry Smith 10th and Skyler Sloan 15th.
Seitz said her junior high girls started the season off well and won second place.
Jozi Gilliam led her team with a first place, followed by Gabbi Pettigrew 2nd and Huntley Hatfield 5th.
“A lot of the girls are just getting started with running, so this first meet is a good learning experience for them,” said Seitz. “Jozi, Gabbi, and Huntley have worked hard all summer alongside the high school girls, so it was great to see it pay off for them as well.”
