Published: October 28, 2009 01:44 pm      

Bridge City rolls to 21-3A cross country crowns

VIDOR — Once again, the Bridge City cross country teams left skid marks on the rest of the District 21-3A competition as both the Cardinals and Lady Cardinals stormed to district team championships Wednesday morning at Claiborne Park.

Bridge City senior Tim Cude captured the boys run with teammates Kirby Shepherd and Aaron Lejeune placing second and third.

Orangefield sophomore Kayla Williams did have her shining moment as she was able to zip by a talented Lady Cardinal team to to captures the girls run.

Despite some sloppy, muddy conditions, Cude turned in a time of 17 minutes and 18.37 seconds over the three-mile terrain to nab the individual title his senior year.

“What a way to finish in my last race here,” said Cude. “I’ll probably be going to college in Oklahoma and this might have been my last time to run this course.”

As for as the conditions?

“It was really tough today,” said Cude. “There was standing water in several places and it was muddy. It felt somewhat like a steeple chase. I’m just so proud of what the team accomplished. We feel like we own this meet and to do it as a senior makes it that much more special.”

The Cardinal boys have won nine of the last 10 district meets while the Lady Cardinals have won 10 straight.”

Shepherd was second with a 17:38.42 followed by teammates Lejuene (third, 18:02.34); Sawyer Hogan (fifth, 18:20.59); Matthew Wappler (sixth, 18:45.37); Armando Chavez (seventh, 19:03.86); and Jose Chavez (eighth, 19:20.14).

“The boys really ran a good race,” said Bridge City coach Cody Knight. “Tim and Kirby have been are top two for the last couple years. What makes this group so special has just as much to do with our No. 3 through No. 8 guys. We’re so deep and that’s what can get you to state.”

The Cardinals, along with the top three teams in each division will compete at the Class 3A Region III Cross Country Championships Nov. 7 at Lonestar COmmunity College in Houston.

So who stands in Bridge City’s way there?

“Lufkin Hudson has won three straight regional titles and they’re going to be tough,” said Knight. “Also, Spring Hill and Huffman will be excellent competition. If we do what we’re capable of, the kids have a great shot at going to state.”

Williams won the girls’ two-mile run by more than 11 seconds. She covered it in 12:44.40.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Williams. “The course was really sloppy and wet everywhere but I kept calm. I think I was able to pull away at about the mile mark and kept up a good pace.”

Mary Nguyen led the district champion Lady Cardinals, finishing second with a 12:55.93. She was followed by teammates Meagan Shockley (third, 13:02.06); Jessica Franklin (fourth, 13:02.24); Ariel Chesson (seventh, 13:38.47); Alex Holland (ninth, 14:03.6); Courtney Hebert (15th, 15:00.24); and Lisa Huynh (18th, 15:09.57).

The Lady Cardinals won with 25 points but were challenged well by second-place Orangefield (40) while Hamshire-Fannett was third (85); Hardin-Jefferson fourth (87); and Silsbee fifth (136).

“The girls ran really well too and will make a good push at regionals,” said Knight. “They needed a good challenge and Orangefield certainly gave it to them today. Just like the boys, I love the depth we have with the girls.”

Placing behind Williams were Lady Bobcat teammates Macy Hamilton (sixth, 13:35.92); Haley Hooker (10th, 14:19.84); Crystal Brown (11th, 14:36.63); Vivian Luong (12th, 14:42.67); Jordan Cook (13th, 14:43.76) and Ashlee Broussard (20th, 15:34.52).

The Cardinals boys cruised to the team trophy by scoring 17 points. Hamshire-Fannett was a distant second (53) and a nice surprise were the West Orange-Stark Mustangs, who are heading to regionals by nabbing third with 92 points. Hardin-Jefferson and Silsbee each finished with 112 points.

“I’m really happy for the kids,” said WO-S coach Toby Foreman. “I’m especially happy for Devon Villary Griffin. This will be his third trip to the regional meet.”

Villary Griffin was ninth, finishing in a time of 19:27.70. He was followed by teammates Reshon McDonald (12th, 20:37.29); Joshua Simmons (18th, 21:54.49); Jerrious Tims (25th, 22:59.61) and Jarodd Ross (33rd, 27:55.35).

Orangefield’s David Rainey was a solid 10th with a 20:00.01 and teammate Brandon Dodson was 323nd with a 25:33.80.