The Woodbridge Cross Country Challenge is one of California's top invitational races each year. Some of the fastest West Coast runners are in the races especially the Sweepstakes race. Texas was well represented with Argyle Liberty Christian's ELIZABETH RENEAU and the Southlake Carroll boys and girls squads, and The Woodlands girls racing.
The Silverlakes Sports Park 3 mile course is a straight up speedway. Several top national times came from this meet last year.
The Sweepstakes race didn't take off until well into the night. Running under the lights at 9:34 p.m. California time for the girls race and 9:54 p.m.for the boys, the runners got the opportunity to enjoy the California evening weather to run in versus the hot and steamy Texas mornings.
The Girls Sweepstakes race was won in 15:58.4 by Corie Smith of Buchanan. Reneau who is TX #3 and U.S. #13 in the 5K ran on a 16:14.9 3 mile PR to place in the op 10.
Led by CATHERINE TRACHT, the Southlake Carroll girls took fourth in the team standings with a 17:27 team average. The 1:11 1-5 split was the largest margin of the season for the Lady Dragons. Tracht finished in 21st place with her PR 16:43.3
In the Girls Rated race, which is another high level varsity race, the Carroll B team took that team title!
In just their second competition of the season, The Woodlands placed 20th with an 18:22 team average. The Woodlands were led by Liz Davidson's 18:01.2 PR. Watch out for The Woodlands as the season progresses and they get more races under their belt as they had a 36 second 1-6 split.
On the boys side, you had to average 15:15 just to place fifth....as a team. Southlake Carroll was led by ENZO MORTIMER's 37th place finish and his 14:47.8 and Jack Myers' 38th place finish and 14:48. The Carroll boys finished with 14:54 team average and a crazy 20 second 1-5 split. A 15:00 team average gets you a whopping 9th place as team at Woodbridge.
Their B team was in the Boys Rated race and took 9th place overall with a 15:28 team average and only a 26 second 1-5 split.
With the performances from the Texas girls and boys in California, watch out for the post season performances coming up for Foot Locker and Nike. If you think the 2016 post season was dominated by Texas, keep an eye out for 2017!
Texans Travel To California To Compete At Woodbridge CC Classic
