Mansfield cross country off to strong start this fall

Both the boys and girls cross country teams at Mansfield are off to a solid start for the fall 2024 season.
In the recent Southwest Cross Country Coaches Association (SWCCCA) Richard Clark Invitational, the Lions and Lady Lions competed on a day featuring around 837 total runners in the high school divisions.
Among the 11 Class 2 teams to compete, the Mansfield boys were first place after four runners medaled in the race.
In the large field, Nolyn Corder set a personal record of 16:40 to finish 37th place overall.
Freshman Alex Ivey had a solid start with his time of 19:08.78.
Riley Stidham also medaled with a time of 19:45.63 while Aaron Veenstra medaled with his time of 19:54.98.
Other runners included Zachary McCrite (20:02.48) and Benjamin Williams (20:18.79).
Three Lady Lions earned medals in the Class 2 girls race. Faith Clark was 80th place overall with her time of 21:43.46.
Gentry Alsup (24:51.35) and Annalise Johnson (25:36.96) also medaled.
Addie Jones ran her race in 28:33.59.
Fellows Lake race in Strafford
Back on Aug. 31, Corder paced the Lions with his third place overall time of 17:28.90.
Stidham (20:09.40), Ivey (20:23.50), McCrite (20:28.20), Williams (21:36.70) and Veenstra (21:43.10) also competed.
Leading the Lady Lions was Clark, with her fifth place time of 22:01.20.
Johnson (25:45.80), Alsup (26:25) and Jones (31:42.30) also competed.
Preview
The Lions are returning their top four runners from last year’s team that finished ninth in the state. The boys were 11th in the state the year before.
Meanwhile, the Lady Lions have been to state four consecutive years and hoping to get back for a fifth time.
Braxton Bolfing, Corder and Clark all earned All-State medals the last two seasons.
“They will look to make a mark on their careers with another medal,” said Mansfield head coach Christian Gray.