Cross Country: Graham leads Permian girls to Odessa Invitational title

Permian’s Jamia Graham and Odessa High’s Gaby Valeriano finished first and second individually Thursday in the Class 5A-3A girls division of the Odessa Invitational at UTPB Park.

Considering their reputations and resumes, it wasn’t a big surprise.

Considering what the last few weeks have been like for each runner, though, the results were an accomplishment.

Graham laid out all summer before deciding in late August to return to cross country, while Valeriano missed a significant part of September because she was sick.

An added bonus for Graham was she helped lead the Lady Panthers to the team title with 48 points, 10 better than runner-up and District 2-5A rival San Angelo Central’s 58.

“I was weak from the summer because I didn’t do anything,” said Graham, a sophomore who was a key member of Permian’s state-qualifying team a year ago. “My muscles keep on coming back to me.”

Graham and junior teammate Bianka Cortez ran together for a portion of the race before Graham pulled away to her first victory of the season in a time of 13 minutes, 8.9 seconds.

Cortez stayed strong for a fifth-place finish that was key to the team scoring, with Marisha Dominguez and Eliana Leyba following in 11th and 12th. Desiree Bustamante came in 20th to close out Permian's team scoring.

“We’ve just been working out a lot trying to keep up with each other and stay together as a pack,” Cortez said. “We like to come out here and hear our friends and family cheer for us, just cheer us on and push us.”

Valeriano’s runner-up effort, in a time of 12:12.7, was her best showing of the season.

She missed meets in Arlington and Wichita Falls while recovering from her illness and the rust  came off in a big way on home turf.

“I’m surprised,” Valeriano said. “I wasn’t expecting to do this well. It’s just one of those things that happened. I just guess I had one of those days.”

Odessa High finished a disappointing fourth-place in the team standings with 84 points and only three runners in the top 20.

Sabrina Cedillos followed Valeriano in 16th place and senior Kirsten Taylor, normally the team’s top runner, was 19th. Myranda Lara took 23rd and Christy Bowers closed out the team's scoring in 29th.

Permian repeated as the team champion of the meet, and head coach Carl Chancellor was happy the team did so well in its home town.

“There seemed to be a lot of support out there and that’s exciting to race in and I’m real proud of them,” Chancellor said. “They’re all giddy someone other than myself and Coach (Amy) Hoch were hollering for them.”

After all, the Lady Panthers have earned it.