Collin Proctor & Evan Caswell
Boys Varsity A division medalists
Coppell Cross Country began the season with the top 14 runners from both the girls’ and boys’ teams competing in the Friday Night Lights XC Invitational at Bear Branch Park in the Woodlands on Friday, August 23. Friday Night Lights is known for drawing top teams from all over Texas. This year was no exception, many of the best cross country teams were in attendance.
The Varsity Girls A team placed 3rd overall in the 2 mile varsity A division behind Southlake Carroll and Flower Mound. Senior Shelby Spoor led the cowgirls, she finished 9th overall with a time of 12 minutes, 8.8 seconds. Chloe Hassman (28th, 12:36.9), Natalie Fleming (35th, 12:43.3), Waverly Hassman, and Morgan Colon were the top finishers for Coppell. The Varsity Girls B team also placed 3rd overall in the 2 mile varsity B race. Senior Izzy Iseley led Coppell finishing in 16th place overall with a time of 13 minutes, 27.2 seconds. Also scoring for Coppell were Avery Hancock (13:43), Alexandria Mupo (13:47.2), Rebecca Centeno, and Issabelle Ortizoga.
The Varsity Boys A team placed 4th overall in the varsity A division behind Flower Mound, Southlake Carroll, and Cedar Park. Junior Evan Caswell led the cowboys, he finished 7th overall with a time of 12 minutes, 54.5 seconds on the 4K course. Collin Proctor (11th, 13:05.4), Jackson Walker (18th, 13:17.1), Rith Bhattacharyya, and Sahaj Dahal rounded out the point scorers for Coppell. The Varsity Boys B team placed 7th overall in the 4K varsity B race. Senior Ishraj Bhandari led the boys, he finished 27th overall with a time of 14 minutes, 10.3 seconds. Next in for Coppell were Ray Aquirre (14:35.5), William Heatherington (14:39.1), Parker Hicks, and Andrew Nester.
Head coach Nick Benton is happy that the competition portion of the Cross Country season has arrived. “The expectations have never been higher in our program,” Coach Benton said. “The first competitions of the season revealed bright spots and areas where we can work to get better. It should be a great season.” The entire team will be back together for the Marcus I Invitational at North Lakes Park in Denton on Saturday, August 31.