Iola alum competes in cross country

Freshman James Rush competed in five races for the Trinity University men's cross country team.
The Iola resident had his best finish in a 4.56-mile race Oct. 7, when he was fourth among the team's entries. He placed 12th among the 53 to finish.
He was sixth among the Tigers in an Oct. 1 6K.
"It was a big change in terms of our training," he said, noting that he ran 20 to 30 miles a week during high school at The Kinkaid School but 50 to 60 per week when the semester started. 
He gradually improved his weekly mileage total during the summer, topping at 50.
Rush said his race strategy this first season was to establish a comfortable pace, though not too fast so as to avoid fatigue before the end of the race.
"Our coaches really stressed not trying to go out and get too excited," he said. "Practice our pacing, being confident in our ability to be in the back and work our way toward the front. It worked really well for me."
He finished 14th among the Tigers in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship 8K, his final fall race.
"It was a tough course," Rush said. "I'm happy with how I ran. I had nothing left."
"It was super hilly," he said. "It was really muddy. It was a true cross country course."

Football
Tarleton State University defensive lineman Blaine Hoover made two solo and two assisted tackles in a loss to Utah Tech. Through 10 games, the Bedias resident ranked sixth on the team with 38 tackles.
Anderson-Shiro High product Auston Cooper played in six of Geneva College's 10 games. He is a freshman tight end.

Men's basketball
Navasota resident Trajan Wesley had two points and one steal for Prairie View A & M University against North American.

Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.