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Monday, November 10, 2008
Last Leg
Houston, TX
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Cinco Ranch, Seven Lakes want to go out champs
It’s time to tighten the laces as the Cinco Ranch girls and Seven Lakes boys enter their regional and state races.
Both teams are senior-laden and have a big–three leading their respective teams.
“This is the best group I’ve ever coached,” Cinco coach Kristi Robbins said. “These girls have been together since they were freshmen and all they know is success. If we can come together as a team, we have the potential to win state.”
Robbins is anchored by Itzel Cetina, who is coming off a junior year that was lost to injury, Alyse Goldsmith and Kristen Stone. Cetina has a twin brother on the boys’ cross country team and is looking to run in college for the likes of either Texas, Rice, Houston or Texas-San Antonio.
Goldsmith, who draws inspiration from her parents and brother, is involved in NCL and the National Honor Society outside of track. Stone was a freshman All-American and uses her drive for running in her every-day life.
“This is a tough sport that is so mental,” she said. “When you feel like quitting and push through that obstacle, you feel like you can do anything. It makes you stronger. I love this team and really want to win this thing.”
Twins Meredeth and Mallory Ramsey round out the senior class, while junior Jessica Garwick and sophomore Jessica Pagano are gaining experience for the next few years. This is the first year for the Ramsey’s to run competitively.
“I got cut from my soccer team in the seventh grade and just picked up running to stay in shape,” Pagano said. “I’ve just stuck with it. It’s cool because I get to hang out with the seniors and they just treat me like one of the pack.”
The Seven Lakes boys’ team is also familiar with success. The Spartans won the Class 4A state meet last season, before being moved up to Class 5A this year.
“Class 5A is loaded with the likes of Kingwood and The Woodlands,” coach Marvin Rathke said. “We have had a decent season, but what I like most going into the regionals and state is that we are healthy – knock on wood. We are in contention to do something great, we just have to go out and do it.”
Rathke’s son, Chase, is one of the big-three at Seven Lakes. He is joined by Jimmy Welin and C.J. Jessett, who are all Division I prospects.
“We are still in the hunt right now,” Chase said. “That’s all we can ask for. We’ve had some minor hiccups but we are going to have a strong finish.
Welin is looking at the Air Force and Texas A&M to continue his running career, while Jessett is looking at Texas A&M and Texas. Rathke is being pursued by Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, Texas and South Alabama.•
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