Here is the All-Txrunning Distance team. We still have the throws, hurdles, and class teams coming this week.

This has been a great year for Florida cross country!  Kathryn Fluehr is currently ranked second in the nation and a few other girls may have a shot.  It seems to be one of the deepest years we've seen on the boys side and many expect a number to make it through.  But what is the reality?  And who from other states stand in the way?

We recognize the top performances at the State Meet with the Txrunning All-5A Teams. We recognize the the top 28 runners with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention teams. A medal will be added to each athletes Txrunning profile.

This is our last installment of the preseason series.Today we look at the girls first  team. The lists consist of what we think are the best runners in the state coming into the 2009 season. The lists are seperated by first team, second team, third team and honorable mention.

The all-decade team runs from 2000-2009. This particular list is for (800-1600-3200). We are picking only the top 15 in each gender.

Congratulations to the 5A All-State Teams     1 Andrews, Sarah            Conroe The Woodlands 10:44.5         2 Nielson, Alyssa           Colleyville Heritage 10:55.5          3 Tindell, Regan            Belton               11:02.8         4 Russell, Amanda           Cedar Park Vista Rid 11:03.5          5 Isham, Ashley             Cedar Park Vista Rid 11:09.3         6 Daigre, Catie             Humble Kingwood      11:11.7          7 Smith, Lauren             Clute Brazoswood     11:14.0         1 Connor, Reed              Conroe The Woodlands 14:47.2         2 Ornelas, Zach             Cedar Park Vista Rid 14:59.8          3 Lutz, Craig               Lewisville Marcus    15:10.7         4 Welin, James              Katy Seven Lakes     15:11.2         5 Brown, C.j.               Southlake Carroll    15:13.1          6 Butler, Drew              Conroe The Woodlands 15:17.9          7 Jessett, Christopher      Katy Seven Lakes     15:20.5     The Medal above will be placed in the athlete profiles. All-State First Team is achieved by placing 1-7 at the 2008 State Cross Country Meet.

Sarah Andrews and her The Woodlands squad took apart the competition today at Nike South. Sarah ran away from a quality field including Louisianas' best runner and a quality squad from California not to mentiion some fo the best runners in Texas. Sarah ran away from everyone including defending state champ Lauren Smith with a winning time of 17:07 on the 5k course. Her race today places her as one of the favorites not only to run at nationals but to be a major player in the national champoinship race. The race opened up fast with Sarah leading at 5:15. She was followed closely by: Regan Tindell 5:16 Amanda Russell 5:18 Tara Upshaw 5:20 Lauren Smith 5:20 Kim Kirby 5:26 At 2 miles Sarah pulled away from the field going through 2 miles at approx 10:50 followed by: Regan Tindell 11:20 Tara Upshaw 11:22 Amanda Russell 11:22 Lauren Smith 11:29 Kim Kirby 11:44 Nike South Invitational Meet Results Video- Coming Soon Photo Album: Nike South Invitational Boys Elite Photo Album: Nike South Invitational Girls Elite Photo Album: Nike South Invitational Varsity Boys Photo Album: Nike South Invitational Girls Varsity 5k Lutz and The Woodlands Win at Nike South Nike South Preview  

Some of the best central texas runners competed today at the AISD Zilker Invitational. Cedar Park Vista Ridge took home both team titles and individual titles. Amanda Russell (pictured) ran a strong early season effort in hot and humid conditions. She won easily in a cross country personal best 11:19. The Vista Ridge girls average 12:04 for their top 5 runners and they ran without Ashley Isham.  Ashly Benes(Austin Bowie) senior ran well for her first race of the year placing second. The Sr had a great year on the track last season running 2:17. Zachery Ornelas dominated the race from the beginning opening up a sizeable gap in the first 800. He cruised to an impressive 15:09 for 3 miles. Second place was a real battle between Mark Pinales, Collin Smith, and John McNamara. Pinales pushed late for a 15:58. Collin Smith (Austin High Sr) had a brutal kick to close the gap late but ran out of real estate as he crossed the line in 16:00. St Andrews runner John McNamara held on for fourth in 16:04. Pinales had a really good track season last year as a freshman running 9:29. AISD Zilker Invitational Photo Album Meet Page with Results

Today we look at the girls third team. The lists consist of what we think are the best runners in the state coming into the 2008 season. The list are seperated by first team, second team, third team and honorable mention. ALL-TXRUNNING GIRLS THIRD TEAM