Johnson Brings Home the Gold and Cupp Takes the Bronze
Yesterday morning both Men's and Women's Cross Country traveled to Windcrest, Texas for the 2024 RRAC Cross Country Championships hosted by Our Lady of the Lake. The Eagles proved that hard work and dedication paid off. On the Women's side, Sophomore Zalenka Brannan would take home the silver in the women's 6k. Freshman Kayla Reeves and Sophomore Daniela Hernandez would also place within the top 10 finishers for the women. Women's Cross Country would also take home the second-place team finish. Men's Cross Country performed just as well at the Conference Championships with Junior Shea Johnson earning the gold in the men's 8k and Freshman Isaac Cupp coming in just shortly behind him earning the bronze. Men's Cross Country would also take home a second-place team finish. Head Coach Natnael Amare shared a reflection from Friday's races:
"Both our men's and women's cross-country teams competed with heart and determination at the conference championships. For the third consecutive year, we're thrilled to have individuals qualify for nationals, and we had several strong performances across the board. The men's race brought an unforgettable moment when Isaac, believing he had reached the finish line, realized he had one lap left. Gathering himself, he surged forward to secure an impressive third-place finish, underscoring his focus and resilience.
Men's Team Highlights:
The men's team showed tremendous consistency and grit, with Shea delivering an outstanding performance and Isaac securing third place despite the unexpected lap mix-up. Isaac's moment of surprise and quick recovery exemplified his adaptability and drive. The team's commitment to supporting one another shone through, as they pushed each other to stay competitive and finish strong.
Women's Team Highlights:
On the women's side, Zalenka claimed second place with a fantastic run, followed closely by Kayla, who finished sixth. Their determination and teamwork reflect the progress our women's team has made this season, both individually and collectively. Each athlete gave their best, representing our program with pride.
Reflections:
This season has been all about resilience, consistency, and teamwork, and today's results truly reflect that journey. Qualifying individuals for nationals for the third year in a row is a testament to the dedication each runner has shown. Isaac's unexpected lap was a reminder that racing often brings surprises, but it's how you respond that makes the difference. I couldn't be prouder of both teams and the hard work they've put in."
Coach Amare would also like to personally thank all the supporters—parents, staff, and fans—for being there every step of the way.
"Your encouragement fuels these athletes, and we're excited to see where this journey takes us next."