Check out the 2016 Seven Lakes Showcase meet preview.
Boys Individual Race
The Boys indiviual race will be an exciting race to watch. Conroe Oak Ridge's Theo Goff is coming off of a victory at the Friday Night Lights last week. Goff should be expected to be a front runner in this race as well. Goff will have some company from some other individuals that also ran well last week. Goff's teammate Barry King had a good race last week placing tenth. Devin Fahey of Houston Stratford got off to a hot start with a 9:34 2mile earlier this season. Two other fast 2mile performers this year, who are in this race are Katy Tompkins' Daniel Figueroa and Houston Stratford's Sam Evetts. Other guys that should be a factor are Cinco Ranch's Parker Diaz and Langham Creek's David Zavala. Diaz and Zavala finished right behind King in 11th and 12th respectively. Clear Falls' Cooper Godfrey had a top 25 finish last week and Katy Taylor's duo of Daniel Laverde and Lucas Wolf both had top ten finishes in the Varsity B race last week. Godfrey, Laverde, and Wolf should find themselves in the thick of things in a less convoluted Seven Lakes race.
Boys Team Race
Conroe Oak Ridge figures to be a factor in this race. Oak Ridge made it to State last year and placed second at the Friday Night Lights with a 1:18 1-5 split that they should be able to work on this week. Langham Creek placed sixth last week and should have hopes on improving this week. Teams to keep an eye on are Katy Taylor and Cy-Springs. Katy Taylor won the Varsity B race at Friday Night Lights and Cy-Springs was third with nice 50 second split between 1-5 runners. Oh yeah, dont forget about the hosts. Katy Seven Lakes isn't just going to lay down on their home turf. Keep in mind, that Seven Lakes did qualify for the State meet last year and they won the Cy-Woods meet a two weeks ago. Did I mention they only had a 35 second 1-5 split last week at Kingwood?
Girls Individual Race
This race should be all in the hands of Cinco Ranch's All-State runner Reagan Kappel. Kappel is strong and fast and she is a front runner. Look to see her in the front early to push the pace as she did in an impressive runner up finish at Friday Night Lights. Kappel definitely has help at Cinco Ranch, and her teammate Meagan Hopper is also always in consideration for an individual race. However, all of the firepower isn't all at Cinco Ranch. Katy Tompkins is talented and has two leaders of their own. Alyssa Balandran and Corbin Olson are both good and young. Both Balandran and Olson had good runs at Friday Night Lights. Rachel James and Sarah Antrich led Kingwood last week at their home meet and Antrich has a 10:52 PR in the 3200m, on the track. Laura Broman is off to a good start to lead her Seven Lakes squad, so definitely keep an eye on her. Amelia Ward of Awty International is another tough competitor.
Girls Team Race
Now, I know it is VERY early in the season, BUT....I'm going out on a limb to say this is going to be a fascinating race and one with important implications for the post season. Reason being, effective this year, due to UIL redistricting, Kingwood is in Region III. Last year, the results saw Kingwood, Seven Lakes, and Cinco Ranch finished in that order and they were all racing in Round Rock, last November. This year should be no different. I think it is quite possible the top four teams from this race could make it to State. Kingwood, Cinco Ranch, Seven Lakes, and Tompkins all have a good shot at qualifying for State. At the Kingwood meet, last week, Kingwood had a 23 second 1-5 split and Seven Lakes had a 35 second 1-5 split. One team to watch out for and track their progress is Cy-Springs. They are showing this year that they are not only a sprint program.