Rogers State University hosts thrilling nighttime XC meet

Sep. 1—TULSA — The Mohawk Sports Complex in Tulsa transformed into a vibrant arena of athleticism and camaraderie as the Rogers State University Distance After Dark Cross Country Meet lit up the night.

Under the gleaming floodlights, high school runners from across the region competed in an electrifying atmosphere Thursday night.

For the large high school race, both girls and boys challenged themselves over a demanding 3-mile course. Smaller schools, however, saw girls covering 2 miles and boys tackling the 3-mile course.

The open races (small schools) ran at 7:45 and 8:15 p.m. for girls and boys, respectively, and the 5A-6A races (large schools) ran at 8:50 and 9:25 p.m.

Claremore coach Eric Wiens shared his enthusiasm for the event.

"It's great (running under the lights)," Wiens said. "I'm glad RSU put this on, and it's really a pretty cool little environment. It's late at night so it's kind of a weird vibe to it, but I was telling them it's great to run at night. You lose your points of reference, and you typically run quite a bit faster. It's a lot cooler than it has been the last couple of meets; it's just a really nice day. The atmosphere is good right now, and you've got a lot of spectators and a lot of teams here — it's just awesome."

CLAREMORE GIRLS SHOW PROMISE

The Lady Zebras embraced the unique nighttime setting and gave their best effort, finishing 10th out of 12 teams with 269 points.

Owasso dominated the event with 43 points and a strong presence in the top 10 and top 15.

Despite the formidable competition, Wiens remained optimistic.

"We've got high expectations," Wiens said. "We qualified (for the state meet) last year, and we should again — we've got everybody coming back off last year's team. We got a few additions as freshmen that are going to be pretty good additions."

Emma Robinson, Claremore's junior standout, led the charge, finishing 46th of 144 runners with an impressive time of 20 minutes and 37.25 seconds, well below her expected time of 21:30.

Bella Nelson of Owasso won the race in 17:07.77.

"It was just nice," Robinson said. "It was nice and cool, and the environment was just really, really nice. I was positive throughout the whole day, so that really helped. I'm more of a night owl. In the mornings and during the afternoon, I'm kind of sluggish running at night, I always get more energy.

"It was refreshing to run at night."

The rest of the Lady Zebras' point earners included senior Tylea Jones (61st in 21:30.24), sophomore Eleanor Issacs (70th in 21:46.35), sophomore Chloe Grubbs (97th in 23:07.82) and sophomore Abbie Douthitt (108th in 23:54.46).

CLAREMORE BOYS EMBRACE NIGHTTIME CHALLENGE

The Zebras' Gabriel Rodriguez showcased his speed, finishing 28th among 168 runners in the 3-mile race with a remarkable time of 16 minutes and 20.73 seconds.

Rodriguez couldn't hide his satisfaction.

"It was so much more cooler than practices," Rodriguez said. "Practices are like 90-100 degree heat. I think all of us PR'd, I'm pretty sure. It felt like state because there are so many runners and fans out here and family members. I feel blessed to be able to run out here with 5A and 6A guys."

Claremore's other point earners included junior Adrian Mendoza (48th in 16:59.38), junior Sawyer Beller (56th in 17:07.03), senior Devyn Llewellyn (81st in 18:00.59) and junior Levi Craig (104th in 18:39.64).

Despite finishing 10th out of 11 teams with 252 points, Wiens remained confident.

"Last year, we didn't make it (to state)," Wiens said. "We were on the cast, but I think we'll have a really good shot to possibly get into the state meet this year. Top 10 would be a goal for us, and if that happens, that'd be awesome."

SMALL-SCHOOL STANDOUTS SHINE BRIGHT

Local talents also left their mark in the small-school races.

Darcy Vineyard, a Tulsa NOAH junior from Claremore, secured fifth place among 85 runners in the girls' 2-mile race, and seniors Grace Partney (13:20.40) and Tifiani Palm (15:27.11), who are from Claremore and Verdigris, respectively, placed 11th and 32nd to help the team earn second place.

Elsewhere, Verdigris saw Zoe Stout placing ninth and Josefina Melkova placing 15th.

The Lady Cardinals earned third-place finish with senior Riley Abel (26th in 14:51.14), sophomore Hannah Ross (27th in 14:55.69) and freshman Harper Davidson (28th in 14:58.09) rounding out the team's point scorers.

Sequoyah didn't field a full team, but freshman Shileigh Phillips led the Lady Eagles with a time of 16:06.47, placing 39th.

Peyton Carson of Mannford won the race in 11:58.70 while Regent Prep claimed the team crown with 47 points.

In the small-school boys' 3-mile race, Verdigris sophomore Carter Gibson placed fifth of 93 runners with a time of 17:09.75. Michael Prewitt, a Verdigris junior, placed in the top 15 as well with a time 17:55.47, good enough for 11th place.

Other point earners for the Cardinals were junior Nyc Genay (24th in 18:45.44), junior Kaden Sappington (33rd in 19:18.00), and freshman Mason Sappington (46th in 19:49.45).

Sequoyah placed eighth as a team with 199 points. Luke Wood, a senior, was the team's top finisher with a 16th-place finish in 18:24.99.

Wyatt Thompson, a junior, was next in 18:57.13 at 30th place, and sophomore Austin Galvan (48th in 20:01.45), junior Roman Henson (69th in 22:29.10) and junior Acie Benedict (74th in 23:14.94) rounded out the Eagles' point earners.

With the Distance After Dark Cross Country Meet showcasing incredible talent and the unique allure of nighttime competition, athletes and spectators alike left with unforgettable memories of this exhilarating event hosted by RSU.