Two of the best distance running programs in the state are located very close in proximity to one another. The Woodlands High School (TWHS) and The Woodlands College Park (CP) High School are almost a stones throw away from each other. Both schools place a high value on their cross country running.
Each year, the two teams field two of the best teams around, and they can't get rid of each other. Both teams race against each other several times a year. For example, during last season, the two teams faced each other in their last six races alone. From the Nike South meet all of the way until the end, which included five straight championship races and concluded at NXN TWHS and CP proceeded without trepidation.
Last year, TWHS defended their UIL 6A title, but then they didn't run as well they would have liked at the Nike South Regionals, but still earned a bid to NXN. CP didn't run as well as they planned at the UIL 6A state meet, but they rebounded to run well at the Nike South Regionals and they ran to themselves to the NXN automatic qualifying bid.
That brings us the the district 12-6A cross country meet. This is once again the stretch of meets that there is no dodging one another. With both teams coming off of the Nike South meet where they went 1-2 against some of the best teams in Texas including 6A title and NXN hopefuls Flower Mound, the championships and their seasons possibility of ending each race are now at stake.
This week, TWHS defended their district 12-6A against CP but it wasn't without a challenge. The two teams went back and forth as their top three runners took turns coming across the finish line. It wasn't until the fourth and fifth runners that TWHS took the decisive lead with their number four runner crossing in eighth place and their fifth in tenth place. CP's fourth and fifth runners finished in 13th and 14th places, giving TWHS a ten point win.
Finishing first and second place finishes were expected from the cross town rivals, but what was impressive is their team averages and splits. TWHS went for a 15:49 average and a 27 second split. CP dropped a 15:59 team average and a 43 second split.
Next up for both teams will be the Region 2-6A meet and both are expected to qualify for the state meet. Without as much running this season as they are used to, the remaining month of the season should see the results of both teams get better and better.