Mavericks rewrite record books in league meet

MOSES LAKE – On Tuesday, the Mavericks cross country team hosted a Big 9 league meet at Blue Heron Park. Head Coach Larry Dagnon called the meet an unforgettable afternoon for the boys and girls teams. 

“We had an amazing day, probably one of the best in school history,” Dagnon said.  

The boys overall race led to the capture of their first-ever league title in school history, which they will share with Eisenhower, Dagnon said. In addition to their title win, runners from the boys and girls rewrote the program's history books.  

Aspen Hoenes’ 18:58 and third-place finish in the girls varsity 5K places her first all-time in school history. Kaytlyn Russell ran 19:59 to take 10th all-time in school history.  

On the boys' side, Maxwell Jolley moved to third all-time for the boys 5K with a 16:18 time. Not far behind him was Colton Lucero with a time of 16:31 to move to seventh all-time. Liam O’Shea finished in sixth place at 16:26.8, which was good for 11th all-time. Lane Christensen finished with a time of 16:38 to move to 15th all-time.  

“To get a share of it and to get it in the manner in which we did was extremely special. This is a hard-working group, and they really have put in the time, both the boys and the girls varsity,” Dagnon said. 

Filling out the back half of the boys race were Liam Roseburg, Jonathan Sandoval and Parks Whitaker to round out the top 25. Dagnon said Sandoval had the race of a lifetime. He finished 18th with a 17:24.66 time. He said those three have come along this season and made them a solid team.  

Dagnon said the boys' team came into this season to outperform the expectations they felt were being placed on them. 

“A lot of people thought we were going to be just average to middle of the pack, and these guys weren't having that. They just said, ‘We're going to find our way,’ and they trained extremely hard and put themselves in position to be great,” he said. 

On the girls team, several runners backed up Hoenes to finish second overall. Rachel Nofziger finished eighth with a time of 19:57.99, which moved her to second all-time in school history for girls. Natalie Vehrs and Emily Bong set personal bests. Vehrs had a time of 20:03.54 and Bong 20:49.98. Alexis Feller ran 21:11.39 and Emma Wallace ran 21:26.99 to round out the Mavs’ scoring effort.  

Dagnon said he saw that his runners were dialed in on Tuesday and determined to perform on their home turf.  

“I think their legs have been rested, they were ready to race... they're really trying to achieve just at the highest level that they're capable of right now, and that's really starting to line up,” Dagnon said.  

As they prepare for the Big 9 District 5 4A Championships on Oct. 30, Dagnon said the Mavs are doing what they can to run smart. This involves being mentally prepared for the race. Strategies for this include eating healthy, sleeping well and healing up before the next race. He said it’s important they do not overextend themselves in the next week.  

“We want you to really give yourself a chance to feel great going into that race. Then everything we're talking about from the mental end will line up. Our kids always know that they can't win a race in the first mile, but you can lose it. So, we're just talking about being smart with your approach,” he said.  

The district race will be hosted at Walla Walla Point Park with events starting at 2 p.m. 

    Colton Lucero keeps pace during his 5K race at the Big 9 league meet on Tuesday. Lucero ran a 16:31.4 to move up to seventh all time in school history for boys.
  

    The Mavericks Head Coach Larry Dagnon, left, congratulates Alexis Feller, right, for completing the girls' varsity 5K race. Dagnon said his runners were dialed in for Tuesday's race.
  

    Aspen Hones runs through a straight path during the girls’ varsity 5K race on Tuesday. Hoenes finished third overall with a time of 18:58, which made her first in all time school history for girls.
  

    Liam O’Shea, left, and Max Jolley, right, sprint down a hill during their 5K race on Tuesday. Jolley finished fourth while O’Shea finished sixth overall to help the Mavs win their first league title in school history.
  

    Harrison Holt powers through the boys varsity 5K at Blue Heron Park. Holt ran a 17:47.45 on Tuesday.