Scoggins, Hughes qualify for state meet

MEEKER I “We are excited that both William (Scoggins) and Lathrop (Hughes) made it to state, although they made us a bit nervous,” Meeker High School cross country coach Kris Casey said of the regional meet, held last Saturday in Aspen.
Casey was nervous because only the top 15 qualify, both Scoggins and Hughes were not feeling well and it was “a bit snowy in Aspen.”
“Both were quite sick and they did not run their best races,” Casey said.
Scoggins, a freshman from Rangely who competes on Meeker’s team because the Panthers do not have a team this year, and has led the Cowboys all season, qualified for the state meet with a 12th-place finish.
“William was sick this past week, making the race difficult for him, but Lathrop probably scared us the most,” Casey said. “The whole race, Lathrop was sitting in 14th, 15th or 16th, running in a pack of three. He had to work at the end to get the 14th place.”
Casey said freshmen Alex Smith and Perye Walter also competed but did not qualify for the state meet.
“Alex had a decent race and placed 19th,” Casey said. “Peyre was our only girl and did not have her best race.”
Scoggins and Hughes will now compete in the Colorado Cross Country State Championship meet Saturday in Fort Collins. The race will be held at Fossil Ridge High School and start at 9:30 a.m.
“I am sure the boys will prove themselves this weekend at state and will be feeling and run better,” Casey said.