Cross country steps up at Saratoga Invite

With three top three individual finishes and two team second place rankings, the Saratoga Cross Country team was in fine form for the Saratoga Invite Friday.

Andrew Oiler on the varsity boys team took second place in his 5k run, Cruz Escobedo finished third in the JV girls 5k run and Jarom Mecham placed second in the middle school boys 3k run. Both the varsity and middle school boys squads for Saratoga placed second in the team rankings.

Coach Rex Hohnholt said "everything went well and our kids did well." He thinks the team is in good form for this time in the season and will be ready to peak at the state championship.

"Wright is a good gauge for us this time of the season. We'll see what happens in three weeks." Hohnholt said. The Wright team won the varsity boys 5k, but the Saratoga team was not far behind. Hohnholt is also expecting Wyoming Indian to bring a strong team to state.

Since they have so few girls competing Hohonholt is looking for individual accolades from the JV and varsity girls at state.

The coach says the team is going to have to step it up a little and their training regiment will reflect this. This week the cross country team will begin more rigorous hill intervals.

"We'll be ready for this thing when it's time." Hohnholt said.

Panthers Cross County will participate in the Lyman Invite on Oct. 2 and the Thermopolis Invite on Oct. 3.