By Steve Carpenter
Hutchinson CC Sports Information Director

Jafet Molinares was hired this summer as the sixth head coach in Hutchinson Community College men's cross country history.

Molinares takes over a women's program that is primed to do some great things in 2023. The Blue Dragon men's team is in the rebuilding process after making great strides from 2018 through 2020.

That "rebuilding" tag means nothing to the new Blue Dragon head coach.

"The men's team is in a tougher spot than the women's team when I took over," said Molinares, whose teams run their first meet of 2023 on Friday with the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic at Fun Valley. "Certain things happened within the recruiting and certain things fell through and that happened all over the country at all levels.

"For us, we worked really hard at trying to bring in individuals who will help this team. I brought in three solid freshmen who will help us."

Last season with short numbers, the 2022 Blue Dragon men didn't post conference or region scores.

Molinares has three runners returning from last season – Evan Avitia (El Paso, Texas), Christian Darrah (Canton) and Louis Wilson (Topeka).

"Coach (Justin) Riggs did some pretty amazing things with those guys last season, " Molinares said. "Christian has been a big component in bringing the guys together. Evan is very hungry and passionate about things. Louis had quite a few injuries last year, but he is heathy now and is looking to get rolling."

The three freshmen joining the team are Leo LeGrand (Mansfield, Texas), David Ulteras (Dodge City) and Keyshawn Garcia (Edinburg, Texas).

Garcia was a light-summer signing and he brings a tremendous 800-meter background with him. Garcia won the Texas state championship in the 800 last year with the sixth-best time in the nation (1:49.61). Initially, Garcia signed with the University of Houston.

"The interesting thing about Keyshawn is that he never ran in the fall because he played football," Molinares said. "To be able to do those things and not have a full year of training, he could have a great year.

"I excited about the guys' team."