Dillos Cross Country competes hard at State Meet

The San Saba High School boys varsity cross country team concluded a very impressive 2021 season on Saturday, November 6, when the Armadillos competed at the UIL Class 2A State Championship meet held at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

For the first time in school history, the Dillos boys as a team qualified for the state meet and certainly held their own against some fierce competition from throughout the state of Texas. As a team, San Saba had 219 points and placed ninth out of 16 total teams who qualified a team of at least five runners. Poolville High School was named the 2A state champion with 68 points, while Hamilton High School (81 points) and Plains High School (124 points) placed in second and third, respectively.

In a massive field of 147 boys runners competing in the 5,000-meter run, the Dillos entered seven runners in the 2021 state meet. San Saba’s top runner on Saturday morning was freshman Jordan Whitney, who capped off a very nice first season at the varsity level by placing in 48th with a time of 18:12.10. Dillos junior Noah Martinez had a solid day in 68th place at 18:36.00 and sophomore Julius Salinas finished in 77th with a mark of 18:43.40.

The remaining four runners who competed for the Dillos were junior Everett Eidson in 83rd at 18:52.70, sophomore Justin Hernandez in 108th at 19:20.30, junior Myles Sanchez in 115th at 19:41.60, and freshman Fabian Salinas finishing in 128th place with a time of 20:30.10.

Considering all seven of San Saba’s runners who qualified for the state meet this season are underclassmen, there is plenty to look forward to for the 2022 cross country season assuming all of these hard-working runners return for the Dillos.

Be sure to check out next week’s edition of the San Saba News & Star for more updates on Dillos and Lady Dillos varsity athletics. Sports editor Andrew Salmi can be contacted via email at salmi.courier@gmail.com or by cell phone at (818) 645-1115.