WESLACO — Harlingen High’s Ayianna Olivas has run in the varsity district meet during each of her four seasons with the Cardinals.
Last year, the senior captured her first individual district crown at the meet. Her season, however, ended 10 days later at the regional meet, leaving her hungry for a regional return and more.
Olivas took the first step to reaching the state meet Friday, claiming her second straight individual district title during the District 32-6A cross country championships at Mary Hoge Middle School in Weslaco.
“Even though I’m a senior and I’ve run this race a bunch of times, obviously I was still nervous,” Olivas said. “It was a new course running here in Weslaco. I was nervous for me and my team, but I knew we were going to go out there and kill it. … After this I have a lot of confidence. I wanted to make it to state last year but it didn’t happen. For sure, I’m going to make it this year. It’s my senior year, and I have to send it off with something amazing.”
The Cardinals’ senior clocked in at 19 minutes, 58.2 seconds for the win, punching her ticket to the regional meet for a fourth straight year.
Olivas was followed by two of her teammates, with freshman Juliana Garcia (20:07.5) and sophomore Brianna Venegas (20:35.5) coming in second and third, respectively.
The Cardinals’ trio helped Harlingen High finish first in the overall team standings with 32 points, securing a spot in the regional meet for the entire team.
Brownsville Hanna and Weslaco High will join the Cardinals at the regional meet in less than two weeks, finishing second and third, respectively. The top three teams and top 10 individuals from each district meet advance.
“This race just helped to solidify that our team is a top team out there,” Olivas said. “When we come out to run, we’re going to give it our all, even if we’re not always on our best. Everyone has their own personal problems, but I know these girls come out and give it their all every day.”
Olivas set the tone for the rest of the meet, with Harlingen High’s boys team securing the sweep of the individual and team championships.
Senior Dominick Luna led the Cardinals, cruising to his first district title in 16:31.9, more than 30 seconds faster than the next competitor. Brownsville Hanna’s Ethan Perez (17:06.9) finished second, followed by Harlingen High’s Zachary Lamar (17:09.6).
Osbel Cisneros (17:39.4), Michael Ambrosi (17:59.7) and Sigifredo Salinas (17:59.7) made it five total top-10 finishers for Harlingen High, coming in seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively.
The Cardinals finished with 25 points to earn the team championship, with Weslaco High and Brownsville Hanna second and third.
“It feels amazing right now,” Luna said. “This is a dream come true for most of the team. Then for me, it means better practice and more competition. I have to go back to state. I’m going to push as hard as I can and make that top eight.”
The UIL Region IV Cross Country Championships are set for Oct. 24-Oct. 25 at Texas A&M Corpus Christi’s Dugan Soccer and Track Stadium in Corpus Christi.
