Tag: cross country

Virginia-bound Atkinson more than a star runner
Cinco Ranch senior Sophie Atkinson verbally committed to the University of Virginia earlier this month. (COURTESY PHOTO OF SOPHIE ATKINSON)

BY DENNIS SILVA II | DENSILVA2@GMAIL.COM

It was during her freshman year that Cinco Ranch senior Sophie Atkinson was dealt an awakening of sorts.

A metatarsal fracture limited Atkinson to two cross country meets during that year. Then she suffered a stress fracture to another metatarsal on the same foot that wiped out her track season.

But after eventually coming to terms with the devastation of two setbacks within months of each other, Atkinson found a wat to move forward. She leaned on her faith. Her focus turned to becoming a better teammate. And, most importantly, she realized there was a lot more to her life than running.

Continue reading “Virginia-bound Atkinson more than a star runner” →

Sutton, Warriors make history at first varsity race
Jordan High freshman Addison Sutton won first place at the Pearland Dawson meet on Saturday morning. (PHOTO COURTESY OF JORDAN HIGH CROSS COUNTRY)

BY DENNIS SILVA II | DENSILVA2@GMAIL.COM

Jordan High freshman Addison Sutton was nervous going into her first varsity cross country meet Saturday morning. Scared, even.

And still, Sutton came away victorious at the Pearland Dawson Early Bird meet.

Sutton ran a time of 12-minutes, 39-seconds to win the two-mile race and help the Warriors to a first-place team finish in the program’s first varsity competition. The Warriors, a Class 5A program, scored 27 points, followed by Clear Creek (40), Ridge Point (64) and North Shore (102).

“I was scared, but I was thinking really positive thoughts,” Sutton said. “I knew whatever I put into my head, that’s how I would do during the race. If I had a positive mindset, I knew I’d have a positive outcome. I know my body will do what my mind believes, so if I believe I can do it, I know I can push through.”

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After lost junior seasons, Arkansas commit Nielson readies for Cinco Ranch finale
Cinco Ranch star runner Heidi Nielson verbally committed to Arkansas on Sept. 9. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HEIDI NIELSON)

BY DENNIS SILVA II | DENSILVA2@GMAIL.COM

The last year has been quite a ride for Cinco Ranch senior runner Heidi Nielson.

A femur injury sidelined her high school cross country season after an exhausting summer representing Team USA at the Pan Am U20 Championships. Then the novel coronavirus COVID-19 abruptly shortened her track season in mid-March. The global pandemic also hindered Nielson’s recruiting, as she was unable to make visits to colleges or compete in significant events.

“It really sucked,” Nielson said. “The cross country season, I get hurt, and it was like, ‘Welp, there it goes.’ I was still hyped, I was really ready for the track season, and then everything gets shut down. I was so sad. Even now, I’m still, like, ugh.”

Still, it all worked out. A star distance runner since her eye-opening freshman season for the Cougars, Nielson verbally committed to continue her athletic career at Arkansas in an Instagram pledge on Sept. 9.

Continue reading “After lost junior seasons, Arkansas commit Nielson readies for Cinco Ranch finale” →