Sam Rayburn senior Jose Ortega works his way out of the pack at the state Class 5A cross country meet. Photo courtesy of the Pasadena Citzen.

Texans' Senior Improves Standing Among Top Regional Runners

  Sam Rayburn senior Jose Ortega took 16th place at the state Class 5A state cross country meet last Saturday  Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. 
  Running the final cross country race of his high school career, Ortega turned in perhaps his finest performance. He covered the 3.1-mile course in 15:49.64. 
  "It's a tremendous day for Sam Rayburn High School," Texans cross country coach Danny Granbury said. 
  Ortega's time was just four seconds slower than his regional effort. That race was run on flat ground. The Ols Settlers course is laced with slopes and considered much more demanding. 
Ortega finished eighth at the regional meet, but among the regional qualiers at state, he was fifth.
  Ortega ran state as a freshman and finished 51st.