The Roughnecks and Ladynecks competed in the Region II Cross Country Championships at Lynn Creek Park on Tuesday, October 22nd. In the girls race Sophia Lacy finished in a time of 13:19 for 47th place. Lizzy Still completed her high school cross country career finishing in 66th place for a season best of 13:41. Sophomore Sophie Fisher made her first regional appearance finishing in 102nd place in a time of 14:39 out of 180 runners. In the boys race the team finished in 8th place out of 23 teams. Niko Soto led the Roughnecks to a 19th place finish in 17:47. Soto was followed by Logan Langewisch in 54th place in 19:01, a personal best for this course. Isaak Olvera finished in 61st, 19:18, Cooper Tucker, 19:26, 67th place, and Luke Bueno, 20:07, 89th place rounded out the team scoring for the Roughnecks. Nathan Stringer and Kaleb Glenn also made their first appearance in regional competition. Stringer finished in 95th place, 20:15, and Glenn finished in 112th, 20:50. All of the runners capped off their season with a great effort racing on a traditional cross country course. It will be exciting to see them build on their success from this season next year.

Logan Langewisch is a junior on the cross country team. He is the son of Eric and Erin Langewisch. Logan is involved in a variety of activities at school. He is a member of the Regiment of Roughneck band, UIL academics, track and baseball teams as well as FFA. In FFA he participates in welding and Advocacy. When he is not representing White Oak, Logan likes to travel, play baseball, fish, and lift weights. When asked what he likes most about cross country Logan states, “it provided me with a new group of friends outside my normal bubble, which to be honest has changed my life in a way.” Logan describes himself as intelligent, disciplined, respectful, funny, and tall.I would add humble and creative. Logan started running in junior high with fellow teammate Nathan Watson. These two have become close friends through the years. If there is a zombie apocalypse Logan would want Kaleb Glenn on his team. Logan writes, “he is probably the most intelligent and would probably be the most under control in a serious situation.” Logan would like to have a conversation with Thomas Edison to convince him not to create the lightbulb. Logan would like to steal his idea and take credit for it, while declaring himself “Logan, creator of the lightbulb.” This is the out of the box thinking Logan brings to the group. Honestly, I am not always sure what Logan is going to say. There are moments of in depth wisdom and inspiration, and then there are moments when I wonder hmmm where are we going with this? This diversity of thought is also seen in his relationships with the people around him. He can interact well with a variety of personalities but he doesn’t take on the personality of the people around him. He is confident in who he is, but also humble and approachable. This unique combination draws people to him, and is a quality that allows him to be a good leader among his peers. This will be Logan’s third appearance at the Regional Cross Country meet in as many years. The previous years he has qualified as an individual. I am thrilled Logan gets to share this experience with his teammates this year. I know it is more important to him that they made it as a team.

Niko Soto is a junior on the cross country team. He is the son of Anthony and Lourdy Soto. He is the little brother to Lily, who is a senior at North Texas University in Denton. Niko enjoys running cross country because he can compete and push himself, and then eat a lot of food, mainly in the form of Crumbl cookies. Niko is also involved in baseball, track, and National Honor Society at school. In his free time, he plays baseball, pickleball, and works out. He would describe himself as hungry, nice, strong, humble, and disciplined. I would add thoughtful, kind, and competitive. If Niko was stranded on an island by himself he would want weights, music, and Crumbl cookies! If Niko could have a conversation with anyone he would choose his grandfather on his mother’s side of the family because he has never met him and would like to talk with him. This is Niko’s first year at White Oak. He has jumped right in with the team and getting to know them. He is well liked and respected by his teammates, and is usually in the middle of all the team shenanigans. Niko has been a great addition to the team. Besides being a talented runner and highly competitive, Niko is a great teammate. He is encouraging and thoughtful. He can make us laugh with his jokes. He is always willing to lend a hand or steal a ball out of my car.

Isaak Olvera is a freshman on the cross country team. He is the son of Tony and Alejandra Olvera. Isaak is the big brother to Mia, a sixth grader this year. Isaak describes himself as sarcastic, clumsy, funny, and competitive. The thing he enjoys most about cross country is the running. He is involved in basketball and track at school, and enjoys playing video games in his free time. If there was a zombie apocalypse he would want Emry on his team because Emry was one of his first friends when he moved to White Oak. Isaak is a man of few words. He is by far the quietest on the team, which also makes him a favorite among the girls. He has adapted well to the demands of high school cross country. His training has become more consistent as the season has progressed, and he loves to compete in the races. For the most part Isaak lets his legs do the talking. He is not about the hype or show. He just gets out there and competes his hardest. His hard work is also evident in the classroom. I look forward to watching him grow and mature in the next few years as a runner and a person.

Luke Bueno is a sophomore on the cross country team. He is the son of Rickey and Sarah Bueno. Luke is little brother to White Oak Alum, Lizzy and older brother to Abby. Luke is involved in the Regiment of Roughnecks band, powerlifting, tennis, and track. The things he likes most about cross country are “the cool shoes and gear I can use and running with friends.” In his freetime Luke likes to play pickleball, spikeball, volleyball, ping pong, and tennis. Luke spends a lot of his extra time working on his tennis skills whether it is during private lessons or at the courts with teammate Kaleb Glenn. When asked to describe himself in five words, Luke writes, “coolest human you’ll ever meet.” If he wanted to survive a zombie apocalypse he would want teammate Logan Langewisch on his team. He believes Logan’s “nonchalant-ness would scare the zombies aways, and he probably knows how to shoot a gun the best.” If Luke could have a conversation with anyone, he would choose his younger self. “I would tell myself to let go of things and focus on what’s important.” Luke is a talented runner. He has learned to balance his time well between all of the things he enjoys doing. He has matured as a person and runner this season. His training has become more focused and consistent, and that has translated to a much more successful racing season. He is still his goofy self though. Keeping his teammates and myself on our toes.

Nathan Watson or Big Nate is a junior on the cross country team. He is the son of Blaine and Melanie Watson. He is the second oldest in a family of five siblings. He is the younger brother to White Oak Alum, David Watson, and big brother to Carrington, Joshua, and Ethan. Nathan is a member of the Regiment of Roughnecks Band, UIL Science team, choir, and track. Outside of school, Nathan is actively serving his spiritual family and Jesus at Grace Creek Church. He enjoys photography, writing, and playing video games. Nathan has been involved in cross country since junior high when he began running with fellow teammate Logan Langewisch. It has been a joy to watch these two friends grow up together. Nathan loves his team. He writes, “I love how close we are. We love to laugh and play and joke, but we know when to get serious…most of the time.” I would have to agree. This group is close. They are supportive of each other and spend a lot of time together and not just in cross country. They are classmates, bandmates, and in small groups together. Nathan is also the spiritual leader for the team. He has led devotionals for the team, so that they can become more rooted in their faith.If he could Nathan would want to have a conversation with his grandfather. He states “he had so much wisdom that I couldn’t comprehend just because I was so young when he died. I would sit with a notebook and just listen to his voice again.” If he could change one school rule it would be the amount of people you are allowed to sit with at lunch. Nathan writes, “I want 7 people” at the table instead of the mandatory six. Nathan is a joyful, inquisitive person with a quick wit. He is supportive of his teammates, a talented runner, and always willing to lend a hand. We have had some interesting conversations about a wide range of topics from religion and physics to having a cassowary as a pet. There is never a dull moment when Nathan is around.

Sophia Lacy is a junior on the cross country team. She is the daughter of David and Jennifer Lacy as well as big sister to Xander and Thea. Sophia is involved in basketball and also enjoys choir. In her free time Sophia likes to play video games and cook different types of dishes for her family and friends. She describes herself as hardworking, caring, ambitious, confident, and a little bit dorky. I have known Sophia since she was in elementary school, she is as funny and talkative as she was then. I am glad she is back attending school at White Oak. She adds an element of competitiveness and humor to the cross country team. Sophia enjoys running at the meets the most in cross country and the runner’s high after workouts. If there was a zombie apocalypse, she would want teammate Sophie Fisher on her team. Sophia writes, “she is very positive and smart. I think if we worked together we would get through it.” She takes a practical approach to be stranded on an island by herself. She would take a machete, a pot, and a good pair of shoes. Sophia would like to have a conversation with American Track and Field star and Olympian Sydney McLaughlin. Sydney inspires Sophia as a runner, young woman, and Christian. Sophia fits in well with her teammates. She is competitive, tough, and smart. She is a talented runner with potential for more growth. I am thrilled she’s back wearing the maroon and white.

Ally Tatum is a junior on the cross country team. She is the daughter of Mark and Loree Tatum, and little sister to Ty and Abby. Besides cross country, Ally is also a member of the track team and dance team at school. In her free time she enjoys competitive dancing and attending church. She describes herself as caring, passionate, happy, funny, and a Christian. I would add outspoken and competitive to her list of qualities. Whether it’s bingo in class or racing, this girl loves to compete. The two things Ally enjoys most about cross country are the team and running with her friends. Ally had a late start to cross country with last season being her rookie year. She has adjusted well, and has a tremendous work ethic and determination when it comes to distance running. She is an excellent example of embracing the mental challenges of distance running, and leading by example. If there was a zombie apocalypse she would want Nathan Watson on her team. She states, “I feel like he would know what to do and because we would just hide and pray.” Ally is grounded in her faith so it is no surprise she would want to have a conversation with God to thank him for everything. She feels the most important things she would need if she was stranded on an island would be her bible, Italian ice, and her dog. Ally is encouraging towards her teammates. I can remember one particular morning when her and teammate Cole Jordan were finishing a workout. Both were struggling a little bit to make time, and quieter than normal for them. On Ally’s last rep and Cole’s second to last rep, Ally turned to Cole, gave him a fist and said “we got this.” This simple gesture epitomizes Ally’s heart. She is fiercely competitive and hardworking, but selfless towards her teammates. She recognizes when they may need a little lift, and it is easy for her to provide the encouragement they need. She always brings a positive energy and friendly banter to practice. An injury prevented Ally from continuing her season this year, with Ally’s faithfulness and work ethic, I feel she will return to form in due time. Her role on the team just looks a little different right now but her heart is the same.