MOORE — The Cross Country season kicked off in full on Friday, with the OK Runner Classic at Norman High’s course. All of the top teams from the west side of the state were in attendance, but it was the weather that stole the show.
And unlike area football games, which were delayed by lightning, it was the blistering heat that caused problems at the cross country meet. Before a cold front passed through Norman on Friday afternoon, temperatures reached higher than 100 degrees, causing problems out on the course.
Yet, the Westmoore girls were still able to run away with the team championship after scoring 63 points. They held off Mustang, which produced 73.
“Friday they had a great day,” Westmoore coach Laura Clay said. “They have been working hard and challenging each other. Most ran better times there in comparison to last year and this year was 105.”
Clay said she prepares her team to be able to thrive in difficult weather conditions, suhc as a balmy heat Friday.
“We practice in it everyday and I stay on them about staying hydrated but it is different when you can’t stop and get a drink and start going again,” Clay said. “We try to prepare for anything so it doesn’t shock them when it actually happens.”
One of those who wasn’t in shock was Alex Scott. She placed fifth with a time of 12:41. She was nearly a minute behind Edmond North’s Jaci Smith, who won the event.
“She ran really well,” Clay said of Scott. “About 45 seconds faster than last year. She had a long week and is still stepping up and challenging and being challenged by her teammates.”
The Jaguars also got solid showings from Shelby Miller, Savannah Waddell and Amber Durrett, who finished 12th, 13th and 15th respectively.
Westmoore will be at the Edmond Dog Pack meet Friday. It will give Clay a chance to see how her teams responds to a different set of challenges.
“It will be a different course than the normal Dog Pack and I want to see them run hard and keep bettering their times,” Clay said. “That is all you can ask for.”
