Warriors win 3A East conference; Bishops win 3A East race; eight total WHS runners earn all-conference

WORLAND — The postseason got off to an excellent start for the Worland Warrior cross-country teams. Racing at the 3A East conference tournament in Torrington on Oct. 13, the Worland Warriors won the 3A East team title, Jack Bishop won the 3A conference championship, and a combined total of eight Worland runners earned all-conference.

“We knew it was going to be a dogfight with Buffalo. It was a gut check fighting for their varsity positions. They were able to shift that focus to battling for conference positions. They just got after it early, and it was super exciting. They were on fire and wanted their positions for all-conference,” said WHS cross-country coach Tanya Kienlen.

The Warriors scored 27 points to win the 3A East, beating out Buffalo, who finished second with 39 points. Torrington was third with 77 points.

Bishop successfully defended his 3A East conference championship from last year. The Worland senior was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 17:01.40. The next Warriors to place were Trajn Swalstad (third, 17:19.30), Will Bishop (fourth, 17:45.30), Scottie Thomas (ninth, 18:14.70), Melvin Croft (10th, 18:16.50), Harley Redding (11th, 18:17.20) and Kiyoshi Smith (20th, 19:05.60.).

Jack Bishop, Swalstad, Will Bishop, Thomas and Croft earned all-conference honors. To earn all-conference, a runner has to finish in the top 10 of their race.

For the Lady Warriors, Zena Tapia led the way, finishing second with a time of 20:13.10. Nyssa Leyva was seventh (21:37.40), Isaira Matamoros ninth (21:58.20), Keira Woffinden 19th (23:21.50), Sarai Matamoros 33rd, (24:41.10) and Carly Venable 36th (25:37.90).

Tapia, Leyva and Isaira Matamoros earned all-conference honors.

Not only did the Worland runners get their postseason off to an excellent start, but they also implemented their race strategies perfectly on an unknown course while dealing with windy conditions.

“Will wanted his position and was trying to help his teammates. Our ultimate goal was to use our teammates to help us, and the boys did that very well. Jack and Trajn ran together for the first three-fourths of the race together. They paced each other, and it helped them both.

“There were other factors to consider. We didn’t know the course, but we still wanted to take advantage of the corners. We also had to battle the wind, which was also a mental factor. There were 20 mph winds, and that was a factor,” said Kienlen. “It was a highlight for the boys and girls to have that many all-conference runners.”

Worland wraps their season with the 3A State cross-country meet in Ethete at Wyoming Indian High School on Saturday.

On the boys side, Mountain View is the favorite to raise the 3A trophy, while second through sixth will be a tightly contested battle with the Warriors in that mix.

“We know that Mountain View is a really strong boys team, and as we’re looking at that, second through sixth are up for grabs. We know the state course and the spots where we’re removed from spectators. The most important piece that will come into play is the last half a mile. That’s what we’re gearing our team towards. It’s going to come down to the mentality and ultimately be decided by our fourth through sixth runners,” said Kienlen.

All the physical preparation for the Warriors and Lady Warriors is done. This week started their taper, and the focus for this week’s practice was sharpening their mental strength and using the team motto of “Rise Above” to their advantage.

“We are physically prepared, and it’s coming down to those final tweaks to the mental preparation. That team morale and extra tips and tricks are going to help too. Harley Redding was our senior who gave out Motivational Monday, and he did an excellent job. He talked about how everyone is committed, and now is the time to rise above.

“The kids know what they’re capable of doing,” said Kienlen. “They’re prepared and trained, and now they just need to execute. Our push for ‘Rise Above’ and by our senior leadership has been the drive for our team. We’ve been the underdogs and been competitive. Now we want to be among those top teams.”

Kienlen added, “Our advantage is from experience. I have some very valuable seniors who know what to do and are driven. We’ll have our team dinner and watch ‘McFarland, USA’ to psych us up. Team unity and mental training are what will drive them toward their goals.”

The 3A girls race beings at 11 a.m. and the 3A boys at 12:45 p.m.