BAILEY FIELD, SANTA ROSA

Cross Country Season is in full swing and both the mens and women's team took full advantage of a bit of track racing at the Kyle Robinson Twilight Invitational. Electric energy was within the stadium as races were held under the lights. First race featuring a LTCC Coyote went off at 8:05pm 

Joel Nord and Danny Robles were the first to take the twelve and a half lap course. Freshman Joel seized the opportunity of a fast first revolution of the track and stuck to a great pace. Joel finished the race in 16:51, a 2 minute improvement over this distance. Not far behind, Danny ran an extremely smart race. He recognized the hot pace from the gun and tucked into the back, running his own race while ticking the laps away with clock-like precision. The sophomore finished in a time of 17:49 shaving nearly 4 minutes off his previous best!

Next on the track were Niza Barton and newcomer Caitlin Fulbright. Both women showed off their ability to think on their feet as both had not experienced this distance on a track. The gun went off at 8:25pm and a few fast laps were had before settling into a groove. Caitlin took 4th overall crossing the line in a personal record time of 19:35. Niza, following closely behind, took 6th overall after a blistering fast kick in the final 200m, finishing the race in a time of 20:04. A PR of over a minute for the freshman

The gun went off for our final race of the evening at 8:50pm. Jacob Christopher and Jackson Davis took the stage for the marquee men's event. Excitement built as a fast first 200m strung out the race. Jackson recognized the heat of the pace, checked up and ran a smart race, building and gaining places throughout the event. The experienced sophomore battled through large sections of the race with no other competitors in order to reconnect, and then pass, packs of fading runners. Jackson Finished in 5th place overall with a 40 second improvement over his personal best, with a time of 15:36. Contrary to Jacksons recognition of the pace, Jacob committed to the faster running and decided to test his strength. Venturing into the unknown with the leaders, a few fast laps started to wear on the legs towards the middle of the race. However the Sophomore bounced back and held strong, working hard in the last mile in an attempt to reconnect to the leader. If there were 100 more meters of race left he might have done it! Jacob finished the race in second place with a blazing fast 65 second last 400m and an overall time of 14:53 just 1.5 seconds behind the winner.

The Coyotes look forward to traveling to Salinas for the Toro Park Invitational Friday October 4th.