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Short-handed Tigers compete at Butler XC Invitational
It was an adversity-filled day for the Nevada Tiger high school and middle school cross country teams at the Butler Bear Cross Country Invitational on Saturday.
Due to quarantine protocol, however, Nevada was competing short-handed, and unable to fill out a team in the boy's and girl's 5,000 kilometer (5K) events, as well as the junior varsity and middle school competitions.
"While this was supposed to be our (first) meet to have everyone back and healthy, unfortunately, that was not the case," explained Nevada coach, Ryan Watts. "We had a total of nine runners out due to COVID quarantine — including three of our top five runners on the eighth-grade boy's team."
Watts continued: "We found out Sunday night they would be quarantined, for essentially the remainder of the season. Their first day eligible will be the day of conference meet. While we're very happy they are able to run at conference, two weeks off isn't going to do us any favors."
Summed up Watts of the Butler invite: "We are very proud of the few runners who were able to go compete for us, at the surprisingly competitive meet. On the varsity boys' side, we were led by Kaden Padgett. When healthy, he's ran very well for us, and after a long layoff, is trying hard to get in shape before state qualifying. We know he is capable of running a state-qualifying time, we just hope we have time to get him in shape after such a long layoff — due to injury."
Added Watts: "On the varsity girls' side, our dynamic sophomore duo — Avery Morris and Allie Rains, were back together — after Allie returned from illness that kept her out in the previous meet. They ran extremely well, posting season-best times, grabbing two medals for our team, and setting us up well as we prepare for the conference meet."
While junior varsity and middle school results were unavailable as of press time Tuesday, Watts said he was pleased with how his runners performed.
"We were able to grab two medals at the middle school level," Watts said. "Aiden Ryan, luckily not quarantining with the majority of his teammates, took home a second-place medal — as did Averi Dawn in the girls' division. Led by Sean Jones, the JV runners also ran very well."
Summed up Watts: "We were unable to have a team score in any division, due to Covid quarantine hitting our numbers so hard, but we are very proud of our athletes who were able to run. And, while losing so many for the next two weeks changes our outlook on the remainder of the season, we are still focused on running strong at conference and district — and will be trying hard to extend our season, and possibly get a few state-qualifiers."
Editor's note: Being in quarantine does not mean an individual has tested positive for coronavirus, only that they were potentially exposed to it.