Mission harriers breakthrough at Ronan Invite
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PABLO — The Mission cross country team continued to raise the bar at the Ronan Invitational Saturday.
“We had some great PRs and breakthrough races,” Mission coach Patrick Murphy said.
Leading the Mission breakthrough runners on the 3-mile course at the Silver Fox Golf Course was Paden Alexander. The sophomore, who’s been carrying the Bulldog banner all year, finished in 21st place with a time of 17:25, breaking his own school record. It was the first time Alexander had broke the 18-minute barrier.
“I was waiting for that kind of run from him, just because of how hard he works in practice,” Murphy said. “He’s definitely a worker and he’s started to see himself as a runner more and more with the success he’s been having.”
While Alexander has been carrying the Bulldog banner, Ashley Courville has been carrying the Lady Bulldog banner and she was the top Lady Bulldog finisher again; finishing 20th with a time of 21:28, which was a new PR and a new school record, but Murphy was hoping for a little more.
“I’m waiting for her breakthrough race. She’s been real consistent right around that 21-minute mark, but I think she’s going to take it up a notch in the coming weeks,” Murphy said. “She’s knocking at the door for all-state and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
Courville was one of three Lady Bulldogs that had PRs at the meet. Rose Bear Don’t Walk had what Murphy considered a breakthrough race, running the course in 22:49 to finish in 31st place. Her previous personal best was 23:10.
“She just keeps taking time off week after week. I look for her to do some good things at the end of the season. She looks stronger and stronger week after week,” Murphy said.
LaGlen Mitchell also had what Murphy considered a breakthrough performance. She broke the 25-minute barrier with a time of 24:09 to finish 35th. The Lady Bulldogs only had four runners and didn’t qualify for a team score. Robyn Mitchell finished 39th with a time of 27:20.
After Alexander, Brian Schock was the Bulldogs’ top finisher. Even though he was sick, Schock still managed 43rd place with a time of 18:54. Once Schock can get over being sick, Murphy anticipates his time will really drop.
“I’m expecting him to have his breakthrough race here pretty soon,” Murphy said.
Mauro Grosso shaved 25 seconds off his personal best to finish 54th with a time of 20:20. Xavier Streets finished right behind him with a time of 21:41. Streets hurt his back setting a personal-best time of 20:35 on the Eureka course and is still recovering.
Dakota Matt had a PR of 22:22 to finish 58th. Karl Daniels had a personal best 23:10 to finish 60th and Rune Grumsen finished right behind him with a time of 23:13.
“It’s been a lot of fun to see these guys improve each week and get more excited about running,” Murphy said.
The Mission harriers will be in Hamilton Saturday.
