Odessa High’s Joseph Flotte made sure that there wouldn’t be an all-out sprint to the finish line this time.
Instead, the Bronchos’ senior started his move to the front with just about one-half mile to go and then pulled away from the field to capture the Boys Varsity race at the District 2-6A Cross Country Championships on Thursday at UTPB Park.
Flotte stopped the clock in 16 minutes, 51.1 seconds for the three-mile trek, with Midland Legacy’s Joey Almanza finishing second in 17:05.3
Wolfforth Frenship’s Blake Morrison was third in 17:07.8 as Almanza was able to find a burst of energy over the final 50 yards.
Flotte and Almanza had run stride-for-stride over the final 100 yards at the Odessa Invitational on Oct. 6 over the same course, with Flotte earning the victory at the tape.
“I didn’t want to have to sprint like that again,” Flotte said. “I picked up my pace and passed him right at the last softball field and then just kept pushing.
“It feels great to win the district championship. Running on the same course last week helped.”
Odessa High’s Alex Camacho finished seventh in 17:27.2 and Miguel Lujan was ninth in 17:30.6.
Wolfforth Frenship won the team title with 45 points, with Odessa High (52) and Midland Legacy (76) finishing second and third.
All three teams advanced to the Region I-6A Championships on Oct. 24 at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock.
“Joseph ran a great race,” Odessa High boys cross country coach Cody Valenzuela said. “It as a little slower than last week, but he was in control.
“He’s one of the leaders of the team and he’s running well. We tapered coming into the meet, so we’ll add some miles to the training to get ready for regionals.”
San Angelo Central’s Angel Rodriguez finished sixth in 17:19.8 and teammate Christopher Banks was eighth in 17:28.0
They both advance also for finishing in the Top 10 individually.
The other eight spots were taken up by runners from Odessa High, Wolfforth Frenship and Midland Legacy.
Permian finished in fifth with 85 points.
Davin Merrill was the top runner for the Panthers, coming across the line in 12th place 17.54.1, winning a sprint with teammate Devin Martin.
Martin stopped the clock in 17:54.4.
Dylan Chico was 18th (18:35.9), Julian Cruz was 20 (18;38.2) and Nicholas Pool finished 22 (18:39.4) for the Panthers.
Merrill, Martin, Chico and Cruz are all freshmen, with Pool just a sophomore.
“I don’t think the boys ran their race today,” Permian cross country coach Jasmin Torres said. “But I have a really young team and this was a great learning experience for them.
“Now they know what it takes to be able to compete. They’ll move over to the track and then it’s time to get stronger over the summer next year.”
>> Follow Lee Scheide on Twitter at @OALeeScheide
District 2-6A Championships
Thursday, UTPB Park
BOYS (3 miles)
Team Standings
Other Area Runners
1. Wolfforth Frenship, 45; 2. Odessa High, 52; 3. Midland Legacy, 76; 4. San Angelo Central, 80; 5. Permian, 85; 6. Midland High, NS.
Top 10 Individuals
1. Joseph Flotte, Odessa High, 16 minutes, 51.1 seconds; 2. Joey Almanza, Midland Legacy, 17:05.3; 3. Blake Morrison, Wolfforth Frenship, 17:07.8; 4. John Abalos, Midland Legacy, 17:14.0; 5. Gavin Morrison, Wolfforth Frenshipo, 17:16.9; 6. Angel Rodriguez, San Angelo Central, 17:19.8; 7. Alex Camacho, Odessa High, 17:27.2; 8. Christopher Banks, San Angelo Central, 17:28.0; 9. Miguel Lujan, Odessa High, 17:30.6; 10. Jayden Kinsey, Wolfforth Frenship, 17:32.3.
Other Area Runners
Odessa High: 14. Jordan Flotte, 18:14.9; 21. Jeremiah Casas, 18:39.1; 23. Evan Sanchez, 18;53.2; 32. Leland Gonzalez, 20:12.1
Midland Legacy: 19. Gavin Rochelle, 18:35.3; 25. Hadrian Urquidi, 19:02.9; 26. Aiden Montes, 19:13.3; 30. David Ruvalcaba, 20:01.5; 33. Preston Evans, 22:38.2.
Permian: 12. Davin Merrill, 17:54.1; 13. Devin Martin, 17:54.4; 18. Dylan Chico, 18:35.9; 20. Julian Cruz, 18:38.2; 22. Nicholas Pool, 18:39.4; 29. William Zambrano, 19:31.2.
Midland High: Jose Zubia, 18:56.7; Rosendo Carrasco, 20:36.6.
