Patti McGarvey
Special to the Sun

Kern Valley’s cross country teams traveled across the desert to compete at the High Desert League invitational on Sept. 24, the competition took place at Desert.

Erin Woodard, mother of Chris Woodard (on the boy’s team) was a substitute coach for the Kern Valley athletes, because coach Don Hazard was not available to attend. Woodard reported that the course is newly designed and extremely difficult in the afternoon heat. However, “Our girls’ team took first place,” Woodard said.

It was a fun filled day for Kern Valley athletes, competing against five other schools; other athletes participating were from Bishop, Rosamond, Vazquez, Frazier Mountain, and Desert.

A great deal of appreciation goes to Woodard for providing the individual results for Kern Valley.

First place for the Lady Broncs is a nice way to begin the season, returnee Sierra Hazard took third place, her time was 25:42, and fourth place was earned by Jessica Tyack, her time was 26:14.

Katie Rocha took eighth place with 28:36, Jenna Criswell placed 13th with 30:44, Debbie Byrket placed 16th with a time of 31:50, Chelsea Stamps placed 30th with 42:17, Kayla Lawhon took 31st place with 42:37, and Kayla Andreas placed 38th with a time of 51:01.

Andreas a sophomore said this was her first time to compete in this sport, she was nervous at first, but after the race she mentioned she was glad she made the decision to join the Kern Valley Cross Country team.  “I love to run relay races, and I plan to be on the track team this year, so I feel that being on the cross country team will help me get in shape for track,” said Andreas.

 As for the boys, they did not field a team, but three dedicated and committed runners had a strong race, Woodard reported.  Chris Woodard came in 32nd place with a time of 26:16, Sam Nang took 54th place with 32:45 and Joey Pistocco came in 55th place with a time of 32:52.

Kern Valley will compete today, at 3 p.m. on their home course against the Vasquez Mustangs.