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5A BOYS
SO#1/US#2 Southlake Carroll, with big wins at Region I, Nike South and Chile Pepper, is seeking its first-ever title after silvers in 2010-07-06-04. Coach Justin Leonard said, “We are excited that the state meet is finally here. We are going into it as last year’s runner-up - nothing more.” SO#2/US#17 The Woodlands, the Region II champ, is looking to add to its state record 17 titles as well as match Kingwood’s 5A record of 6 in a row. Coach Juris Green said, “We’re in the meat of our schedule and will put it all on the line on Saturday. Our 9th man ran 15:45 on the track this week so we’re ready.” SO#3/US#46 Strake Jesuit earned the Region III title with an impressive 4-5 finish by sophomores. Coach Mike Kerley said, “State will be exciting and tough. We will be very lucky to be in top 5. We hope we have a great race from everyone. Southlake Carroll looks unbeatable and it is very hard to dethrone the King - The Woodlands. Watch College Park!” At Region IV Del Rio claimed the title. Coach Ric Smith said, “This is the most talented group we’ve ever had. They are really focused and excited about the state meet and the possible outcomes if they really compete from start to finish. We have stressed all season, ‘Don’t be average, be the best team in Del Rio history’ and they have a chance on Saturday to do just that.”
The 5A boys race features a widely anticipated showdown between unbeaten seniors Daniel Vertiz and Craig Nowak. Vertiz earned bronze last year, competed at NXN Nationals, and took the 3200 silver in 9:00.22 last spring. Nowak was disappointed with his 6th place State XC finish, but went on to claim 1600 honors in 4:08.67. Vertiz said, “I'm really going into this race feeling confident in the fact that I am the top returner, and how great my training has been going. This being my senior year, I am extremely excited to just go out there and give everything I have on the course with no regrets.” Nowak is also ready to tangle. “I am very anxious for the state meet. I believe I'm in better shape than I have ever been and have a fair shot at the title. I'm finally recovering from a long, lingering sinus infection and I can feel the relief! I can't wait to get after it.” Don’t count out jr Joe Sansone (Region I winner), Kevyn Hoyos who was nipping at Vertiz’s heels last year and is the NXN Nationals #6 returner, and Chile Pepper champ and 1600 runner-up Cale Wallace. Others with top 10 potential include Region II champ jr Brigham Hedges, jr Robert Domanic, soph Alex Ntagawa, and a few more Southlake Carroll athletes.
The Top 10 returnees:
1. Daniel Vertiz, 12, SA Reagan, 3rd, 15:24.93
2. Kevyn Hoyos, 12, Hebron, 4th, 15:27.12
3. Craig Nowak, 12, Cy-Woods, 6th, 15:32.30
4. Troy Taylor, 12, Justin Northwest, 9th, 15:35.64
5. Brigham Hedges, 11, Woodlands, 13th, 15:43.07
6. Robert Domanic, 11, Hebron, 14th, 15:43.42
7. Greg White, 12, Seven Lakes, 15th, 15:45.75
8. Joe Sansone, 11, SL Carroll, 20th, 15:54.21
9. Trevor Gilley, 11, SL Carroll, 22nd, 15:57.56
10. Cale Wallace, 12, Cy-Ranch, 24th, 15:59.67
