San Juan boys, girls take third in Utah 2A State Cross Country Championships

by Jessica Walker
Contributing Writer
Crisp, cool fall air welcomed the San Juan High School cross country team to Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake City October 29 as they prepared to race in the premier event of the season – the 2A Utah State Cross-Country Championships.
Each runner, regardless of whether they were a senior or freshman, was at a course completely unfamiliar to them.
Gone were the flat, grassy loops of the 2023 course at the Regional Athletic Complex in Rose Park. In their place were several sizable grassy hills, made more difficult by the slick conditions.
What was the same, however, was the hordes of people and the energy buzzing through the runners and crowd.
The boys team was first to toe the line. A familiar pack – Abe Lyman, Platte Lyman, Austin Pincock, and Rosendo Martine – emerged together in the first part of the race.
All four athletes have consistently been the top four varsity runners for the Broncos, so this was not an unfamiliar sight. What was unexpected though was the athlete who broke away – Platte Lyman.
He employed a monstrous kick to continue to pass top-ranked athletes, finishing the race in fifth place overall with a time of 17:05.
This was Platte’s first time leading the varsity pack in a race, but as a sophomore with massive talent and work ethic it certainly won’t be the last.
In the final race of his high school cross-country career, Abe Lyman finished next only twenty seconds behind Platte in 16th with a time of 17:25.
Abe has had a stellar career, knocking nearly four minutes off his personal best. Junior Rosendo Martine came in next in 20th with an excellent time of 17:31.
Austin Pincock, the other senior on the varsity squad, followed Martine in 29th with a time of 18:08. Similar to Abe Lyman, Pincock has shown massive growth over the course of his career, knocking nearly nine minutes off his personal best since starting cross country four years ago.
Next to cross the finish line was Jack Kartchner who placed 35th in 18:21. Kartchner, only a sophomore, has continued to impress as a consistent varsity member.
Junior Noah Begay and freshman Keegan McCullough charged to the finish line next with only half a second separating the duo. Begay finished 49th in 18:52, and McCullough finished 50th in 18:52.
Just minutes after the boys race was completed, the girls began their race. As they have all season, Sincere Nez and Brittany Jensen led the team. Both athletes had impressive seasons as they jockied back and forth for the first spot on the team.
Sincere Nez finished first this time with a 15th-place overall finish and a time of 21:00. Nez’s outstanding focus and determination was on full display throughout the difficult course.
Outsprinting Rowland Hall’s Carolina Corcoran by one second, Jensen finished just half a minute later in 19th with a time of 21:27.
Brinley Jones finished next in 34th with a time of 22:55, a fine time despite being sick. Ada Lyman followed Jones next in 42nd with a time of 23:56.
Both Jones and Lyman have been integral to the Lady Broncos’ success this season. With a solid performance and season best, Harmony Oshley finished next in 56th with her time of 25:13.
Rose Kartchner and Sierra Black rounded out the varsity girls in 66th and 70th with times of 25:52 and 25:58. Kartchner and Black’s times were fairly close to their season bests set at a much flatter course.
Both teams earned phenomenal third place finishes. As the Bronco harriers look toward next season the boys will look to fill the gaps left by top graduating athletes Austin Pincock and Abe Lyman.
The girls look to continue building and adding to their young team. Congratulations to all the San Juan athletes on an incredible season.