Future Pack student-athletes race at annual Run of the Panthers

Will Lanigan, Lufkin High School Panther Growls Editor
October 24, 2019

Brookhollow Elementary fifth-grader Grant Stafford crosses the finish line of the sixth annual Run of the Panthers, held Wednesday morning at Lufkin High School. Stafford set the event record with a six-minute, 30.8-second time in the mile run. (Photo by WILL LANIGAN/Lufkin High School Panther Growls Editor.)

Primary and elementary students from all across Lufkin competed Wednesday in the sixth annual Run of the Panthers.

The podium results are as follows:

  • K/1st girls — DUNBAR team; 1. Eva Kissinger, Herty, 8:44.4; 2. Jasity Tapia, Herty; 3. Ximena Bucio, Burley; 4. Lillian Thompson, Dunbar; 5. Zaniyah Whittaker, Kurth; 6. Elizabeth Horta, Burley.
  • K/1st boys — KURTH team; 1. Karsen McCollum, Kurth, 8:29.9; 2. Jaydence Doggett, Kurth; 3. Rylie Fernandez, Burley; 4. Ellian Meraz, Burley; 5. Evert Reyes Politron, Burley; 6. Isaac Espinoza, Herty.
  • 2nd/3rd girls — SLACK team; 1. Leahi Hale, Anderson, 8:12.4; 2. Kendallyn Gilder, Anderson; 3. Allyson Neanador, Slack; 4. Jessi Boyd, Slack; 5. Kennedi Horace, Brandon; 6. Gracie Mathis, Coston.
  • 2nd/3rd boys — SLACK team; 1. KJ Hammilton, Brookhollow, 7:07.6; 2. Karsen Henderson, Brookhollow; 3. Ishmael Rivera, Slack; 4. Tavien Benjamin, Brandon; 5. Garrie Maxey, Brandon; 6. Carter Ogden, Brandon.
  • 4th/5th girls — BRANDON team; 1. Shanti Rojo, Anderson, 7:22.8; 2. Ashia Wiley, Brookhollow; 3. Arianna Soria, Brandon; 4. McCall Boyd, Slack; 5. Jasenia Hurts, Coston; 6. Alithza Vasquez, Slack.
  • 4th/5th boys — BROOKHOLLOW team; 1. Grant Stafford, Brookhollow, 6:30.8 (new record); 2. Daniel Lanigan, Brandon; 3. Devante Tolliver, Brookhollow; 4. Paydon Flores, Brookhollow; 5. Dixon Armenia, Coston; 6. Qwinton Harrell.

PE coaches at each campus selected the runners to represent their individual schools, based on performance and behavior. According to LHS Women’s Athletic Director Jerri Kay Boyd, the Run of the Panthers coordinator, 374 children participated in this year’s event. Many parents and grandparents showed up to cheer on their kids, and some even brought signs and posters for encouragement.

The high school cheer, cross country and soccer teams assisted in putting on the event for Lufkin High School’s future athletes.

Complete results may be found at https://my1.raceresult.com/140484/results.