Rangers take fifth at SPC Invitational

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By Tommy Wells

Ranger College Public Information Officer/Sports Information Director

Isaac Gafishi continues to build an impressive resume during his sophomore season at Ranger College. And the Ranger cross country team is better for it.

Gafishi sprinted to a top 25 finish on Oct. 8 and helped power the RC men’s cross country team to a fifth-place finish at the South Plains College Invitational meet in Levelland, Texas.

Overall, Gafishi led a stellar outing by the Rangers. The team has its top five runners place in the top 45 and finished as the second-best small college at the meet, which featured several 4-year university programs in addition to defending regional champion South Plains.

“We weren’t at our best but I was proud of the way we finished,” said RC head coach Kathy Graham.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Gafishi highlighted the Rangers outing. He legged out a time of 27 minutes and 58 seconds and checked in at No. 23 in the individual standings.

Huriel Chavez
Huriel Chavez

South Plains swept the top three places in the race and breezed to the team crown. Wayland Baptist University and Lubbock Christian University finished second and third, respectively. The University of Texas-Permian Basin was fourth.

James Ramos and Sydney Leverett also turned in outstanding efforts. Ramos completed the 5-kilometer race at 28:32 and placed 35th in the 73-runner field. Leverett placed 38th at 28:54.

Erick Bett and Jose Soto also did well, according to Graham. Bett finished 40th at 28:56, while Soto checked in at No. 41 with the same time.

Huriel Chavez and Joey Hernandez added to RC’s efforts. Chavez became the Rangers’ sixth top 50 finisher by netting 46th at 29:05. Hernandez placed 52nd at 29:22.

The RC men’s team will return to action on Oct. 29 when they compete in the regional meet at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, N.M.

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