If you find yourself on the La Joya HS campus at 6:30 am, you'll witness a dedicated group of students in action. Who would willingly rise so early to run, you might wonder? These are the unsung heroes, the members of the Coyote Cross Country Team. Like the inspirational movie "McFarland USA" portrays, cross country is no walk in the park. It demands not only physical prowess but also a fierce mental fortitude during practices and races.
These exceptional athletes not only wake up early for grueling practices but also embark on weekly journeys outside the district for meets. It's a sport that often goes unnoticed, as the first race typically kicks off at 8:00 am. It takes a special kind of student-athlete to thrive in Cross Country.
The Lady Coyotes are led by junior Asante Stewart, who last year was the sole representative of La Joya HS at the UIL Regional Meet. This year, she's joined by seniors Galilea Lucero and Brianna Salazar, junior Mariangel Tijerina, and sophomore Jackeline Sanchez. Coach Luna has high hopes for Asante, expecting her to “finish in the top ten at the district meet and make a return trip to Regionals”. Asante, who recently clinched first place at the Meet of Champions on September 30th, has been steadily climbing the ranks throughout the season.
At the helm of the boys' team stands senior Brandon Sauceda. At the recent Meet of Champions at Sharyland Pioneer HS, he secured a commendable 10th place for the Coyotes. Brandon has been the driving force for the team all season long, with Coach Gonzalez setting his sights on a strong performance at the district level. “The goal is for Brandon to finish in the top ten and qualify for Regionals” said Gonzalez. Coach Gonzalez is full of praise for his dedicated senior, highlighting his hard work, unwavering commitment, and exceptional academic performance. Brandon's determination has been firmly “fixed on Regionals since the season's outset”. Running alongside him are seniors Isaac Romero and Juan Carlos Rubio, juniors Juan Hidalgo and Edgar Rosales, and sophomore Marco Gandaria. Coach Gonzalez believes that “if everyone performs at their best, the Coyotes stand a good chance of securing a spot at Regionals.”
The District Cross Country Meet is scheduled for Friday 10/13 at K. White MS in Mission, TX. The Girls Varsity Race is set to start at 9am with the Boys at 9:30am.