With early signs of a Louisiana Fall showing, runners assembled on the Live Oak'd alleyway of Audubon Park for the 2013 Newman XC Invitational. Runners prepared to race their way to potential PR's with Coach Randy Zell, and his PA-system at the helm.
Zell sent the girls bolting for the narrow path of the park, allowing two runners to be separated from the rest of the pack. While watching these two runners run side by side, there seemed to be a Deja Vu like quality. In 2012, the same scenario unfolded between the runners, Haley Johnson of Newman and Celia Zaeringer of Patrick Taylor. During last year's race, Ceilia pulled away with a win following a final straightaway kick. This year the tables turned as Haley Johnson, not wanting to disappoint her "home crowd," made a move with 600 meters to go and sprinted down the spectator lined shoot to many ecstatic Newman parents and fans. With a final time of 18:56 to Celia's 19:02, Hayley's final kick proved to be worth the pain. The team title went to McGehee, beating Sacred Heart 51-67.
In the boys race, Connor Killian of Rummel dominated from the start and took the title almost a minute ahead of second place's, Stephen Torry, of Patrick Taylor, finishing with a time of 16:39. Newman captured their own meet title over Brother Martin, with a score of 55-68.
In the middle school races, Lyons Blum of St. George won the boys race, while Madeline Kling of Sacred Heart took home the girl's crown.
