Jessica's Corner

^              Temple High School 2006                              Tem-Cat Cross Country   Temple Invitation II 4TH Place!             ^ In The News.... October 8, 2006 2:16 PM Tem-Cats second, Wildcats seventh at cross country meet Killeen Shoemaker's Tabitha Ashford conquered "the hill" and the opposition Saturday morning at the Temple Invitational cross-country meet at Lions Park. The defending District 13-5A champion covered the two-mile course in 12 minutes and 33 seconds - 21 seconds faster than runner-up Dana Neeper of Midway. "The hill" is an uphill climb near the end of the race followed by a downhill sprint to the finish. "It was a nice course, but i felt the hill," said Ashford, who bested a 66-runner field in the Class 4A/5A race. "I led until we got to the softball complex. Then I took off again on the hill." "I was a lot more comfortable when I saw her on the hill,' Shoemaker coach Karen Koehler said. "She had a decent time. It's my job to get her into shape and then she runs her own race." "It amazes me that she can push herself like today when she really doesn't have anybody pushing her. She does an excellent job of pacing herself." While Ashford dominated individually, Harker heights posted a 29-82 victory over Temple in the nine-school team race. Midway and Shoemaker were third and fourth respectively, with 98 and 105 points. In posting its one-sided victory, the Lady Knights placed all five of their scoring runners among the top eight finishers. Jessica Slaton was fourth in 12:58 and Erika Allen was 11th in 13:31 to lead Temple. "Our times were pretty good," Temple coach Holly Lamberte said. "A lot of our kids are dual sport kids, so we're hoping to have them rested for district (Oct. 27 at Longbranch Park in Killeen). Some of them had games the night before the meet." In the three-mile boys 5A/4A competition, Midway took both the team and individual titles. Matt Upshaw took a four-second win in the race with a 17:09 while the Panthers bested Lake Travis, 35-71, in the eight school team derby. Temple was 7th with 163 points. Isaiah Caldera earned his first varsity medal by taking third for the Wildcats with a 17:14. "This is great. The kids ran hard," Temple coach Karron Taylor said. "We had some kids out for various reasons today." Track 2005