Cross-Country: Odegard captures first place; earns award

Sophomore runner Bryce Odegard continues to impress Trojans cross-country coach Matt Kolodziczyk with his endurance and speed. The Trojans cross-country team was at the Larry Burgess Invitational last Saturday and Odegard finished in first place in the small schools division.

"I was very pleased with Odegard's efforts," the coach said. "He ran so well and was honored with the Yellow Jersey award, which is handed out by RunnerSpace.com."

RunnerSpace.com is dedicated to providing its readers with news, results, photos and videos of Nevada high school track and field as well as cross-country runners.

The invitational was held at Sunset Park in Las Vegas and had 56 teams.

The Trojans boys team finished in fourth place with 114 points out of 13 teams in the small schools division. Faith Lutheran was in third (98), Hurricane, Utah finished second (48) and Clark was first (43).

Odegard crossed the finish line first for the small schools division (15 minutes and 45.8 seconds) on the 3-mile course. Sophomore Layron Sonerholm was sixth (17:16.9), sophomore Cole Goodman was 23rd (18:08.6), junior Stephen Thelaner was 36th (19:00.1) and Jacob Cipollini was 53rd (19:55.1).

Odegard said he has a plan when he runs.

"I just go out and run my race and I am not concerned too much with who is in front," he said. "The Sunset course was a fast course, but it felt like any other race."

Odegard's teammate, Layron Sonerholm had a good race too.

"I try to keep up with Odegard, he's good and fast," Sonerholm said. "I am getting faster because my first meet time was better than my personal best last year, so I know I am getting faster."

The girls cross-country team also did well, finishing fourth out of eight teams with 109 points. Clark was third (82 points), SECTA was second (47), and Faith finished first (24).

Senior Fenny Descuatan finished 12th for the girls (22:48.8), junior Alicia Quiroz finished 18th (23:15.2), junior Ashley Floyd finished 28th (25:15.8), Shiloa Gulden finished 36th (25:53.8) and senior Cambria Forrey finished 37th (25:56).

Kolodziczyk started off with only five runners and has built up the team to nine runners. He said Descuatan continues to improve on her time.

"I really didn't know that I had run that much faster than last time," Descuatan said. "I just ran the same. I guess I really like this course. The time surprised me."