El Dorado will travel to Hot Springs on Tuesday to compete in the 5A South Cross Country Championships, beginning at 4 p.m. at Essex Golf Course. It will be 10 days since the team ran at Lake Hamilton. Coach John Koonce believes his athletes should be at their top form.
“We have slightly reduced the mileage to lighten their legs. We will reduce a little more the week going into state,” said Koonce.
“I feel like our kids are peaking right now and I look forward to a strong showing on Tuesday. Our conference is as strong as any conference in the state and I believe that we are going to have a great showing.”
Hot Springs Lakeside will be the team to beat in both boys races while Lake Hamilton will be favored on the girls’ side. Koonce feels El Dorado could be in the lead pack of teams chasing.
“(El Dorado’s) junior boys have the best chance. The varsity teams will have to perform a little better than they have so far this year, but that’s why you line them up.”
Overall, El Dorado has enjoyed the best season in the program’s history. Koonce would love to end the year with a bang.
“We have a lot of kids that are looking to have a big day not just for their team, but for personal accolades,” he said. “Zach is looking to challenge Diego Martinez for the individual championship. You have Julian Marquez, Jazmine Aguirre, and Ainsley Colvin that are standing right on the verge of the all conference area coming in. You also have Sarahi Rodriguez and Charlie Conner that are close to that group. Based upon the times coming in, in the junior high boys race we have a few dudes that may have a chance to win the race and in the junior girls race we have a couple that could have a chance to medal.”