Maddie Marrone and Abbey Hobbs celebrate when they officially learn they qualified for the state meet
So, it's only three days away. Yes, the UIL 2017 state cross country meet. Round Rock's Old Settler's Park once again is the site as usual and all of the teams who qualified through district and regional meets will be there ready to rumble.
What seemed like yesterday was actually months ago as teams were counting down to the time that is less than 72 hours away.
I certainly can feel the excitement.
For individual and teams that are going to state for the first time to the Southlake Carrolls of the world that are going for an unbelievable 21st consecutive year.
Student-athletes from all over the state will travel to the Round Rock area to compete at the state meet. Teams and athletes from as far as west Texas 1A program Springlake Earth, to east Texas 6A program Beaumont Westbrook.
It was a dream come true, four years in the making for both of us!
Maddie Marrone, Round Rock McNeil Senior
However, the excitement is just as real in Round Rock. McNeil seniors Maddie Marrone and Abbey Hobbs live and go to school just minutes away from Old Settler's Park and they are just as excited as anyone. Marrone said, "It was a dream come true, four years in the making for both of us!" In the video, you can see their genuine excitement to run in a meet just minutes away and on their home invitational course.
The fact that Round Rock girls had a super giddy celebration when they learned that they had qualified for the state meet, I can only imagine what everybody else is feeling throughout the state.
Only days -- hours away from the big show and I'm stoked!