Wolves earn runner-up title, Lady Wolves fourth at Dilley meet

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | September 6, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

DILLEY BOYS FINISH SECOND TO STATE QUALIFIER BANDERA AT INAUGURAL ROBERT C. SALAZAR INVITATIONAL

Dilley’s Wolves claimed the runner-up spot while the Lady Wolves were fourth at the inaugural Robert C. Salazar Cross Country Invitational meet last Saturday, September 2 at Gosch Field.
“There’s nothing like running on your home turf with 18 different schools in attendance ranging from Class 1A to Class 6A, in memory of Coach Salazar,” DHS Head Coach Victor Flores said. “We ended up as the runner-up champions behind a solid state-qualifying team in Bandera. On the varsity girls’ side, we were down one of our top runners, but had others step up and managed a fourth place finish.”
Xavier Hernandez was back in the lineup for the Wolves and his return paid instant dividends for the team. He finished fifth overall and was one of three Dilley runners to finish in the top 15 and one of four in the top 20.
Freshman Azaela Espinoza stepped up for the Lady Wolves as she made the move up from the junior varsity squad and also made an impact for Dilley as she was the team’s third runner.
“I’m super excited and proud of how all our athletes came out to compete on their home turf, from middle school all the way up to high school,” Coach Flores said. “I’m looking forward to see our progress and hope we can peak at the right time when district comes around.”

Varsity boys’ results are as follows: Xavier Hernandez, fifth, 17:40, Brazos Viesca, 12th, 18:32, Angel Martinez, 15th, 18:46, Josiah Benavides, 16th, 18:50, Anthony Guerra, 26th, 19:31 and Julian Cruz, 29th, 19:39.
Varsity girls’ results are as follows: Chloe Rodriguez, sixth, 13:21, Edelyn Rodriguez, 16th, 14:12, Azaela Espinosa, 20th, 14:32, Jewlea Tate, 22nd, 14:50, Klarissa Vasquez, 31st, 15:18, Lily Ayala, 37th, 15:41.
Junior varsity boys’ results are as follows: Clause Castaneda, second, 20:25, Eddie Torres, 10th, 21:44, Nehemiah Osio, 22nd, 23:00, Amos Osio, 29th, 25:52.
Dilley’s eighth grade boys finished third overall at the event. Results are as follows: Joshua Montoya, 4th, 11:44, Matthew Montoya, 5th, 11:58, Isaiah Kinsey, 23rd, 13:55, Elliot Pichardo, 41st, 15:41, Tristan Goins, 42nd, 15:53.
Eighth grade girls’ results are as follows: Zoey Ortegon, third, 14:42, Jaelyn Rodriguez, 9th, 15:41; seventh grade boys’ results: Elijah Montoya, 2nd, 12:49, Barret Collier, 10th, 14:10, Zaydran Sauceda, 27th, 15:45, James Goins, 44th, 19:49; seventh grade girls’ results: Harvest Viesca, 7th, 15:54, Jessell Duran, 14th, 17:35, Peyzlee Ybarra, 51st, 27:46.
Dilley’s cross country teams will be in action at the Bandera Bulldog Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, September 9.