Cross country ends for the year

Times Reporter

 

Three Strathmore High School teens had a chance to compete in cross-country provincials in Elkwater this past weekend. Keegan Lane and Lucas Fisk both ran in the five-kilometre Intermediate boys division. 

“Keegan ran an exceptional time of just above 21 minutes, finishing 45, a very high finish for us at that level, there are 144 runners per category. Lucas ran 22:22 and finished at 58. Gives you a sense of how many spots you can jump in just a minute,” said coach Paul Stonsteby. 

Juan David Velsquez ran in the senior boys six-kilometre race and came in with a good time of just over 28 minutes, said Stonsteby. This was the last cross country event of the year, with track and field coming up in the spring.

“Track is in the spring, but I am going to start a spring training for cross country, and get the kids on programs over the summer,” said Stonsteby.

“I’m going to try to coordinate this with Kevin Mertz, the coach at the junior high. Mr. Mertz has also discussed a triathlon club leading up to the Strathmore Triathlon in June, so we’re hoping to make this more than a two-and-a-half month affair.”

Stonsteby said overall the team was small this year with only eight members, but said it was a strong group. 

Including Lane, Fisk, and Velsquez who went to provincials, other team members included Captain Alecia DeMott, Intermediate girls, Marc Kuntz, Junior boys, Brooklyn Davidson, Senior girls, Merrick Fanning, Intermediate boys and Avery Johnson, Junior girls.

Earlier in the season, a meet at Strathcona Tweedsmuir, Lane placed second and Fisk third in their category, and they, as well as Velsquez, placed well inside the top 18 of their category. DeMott was just outside at 23rd.  

“This was the smallest team I’ve ever coached, but easily the most dedicated and most fun. They are great runners,” said Stonsteby.

“It marks the fifth straight year that I’ve coached our school has sent runners to provincials, which I think is pretty impressive considering the terrain some of the other kids are able to train on. We run stairs and Dinosaur Hill for (a desire) of valleys and mountains. Councilor Fule has joked that he’ll looked into getting me a decent set of running hills.”