London Culbreath is only a sophomore and she is already a Texas distance running living legend. Ever since she suited up for McKinney North, she has been dazzling the fans with her aggressive running style, ability to run fast, and her unassuming and modest personality.
This year, Coach Richards and Culbreath have cautiously plotted and planned out a season that would keep the fans in anticipation for her next meet and for her break out ability.
Well, that time that we have all been waiting for has arrived. This weekend, Culbreath rattled off her first sub 17:00 5K of the season. Culbreath admitted to planning to race less this season and not be in peak fitness until championship and post season. Judging by the time she ran in the 5A girls state meet, that time appears to be here now, as Culbreath stated, "Right now is where we are ramping things up."
Culbreath's only sub 17 time came at last year's McNeil Invitational where she ran a 16:48. Yesterday, she unveiled her current fitness level by dropping a solo act of 16:56 on the Old Settler's course. She appears to be primed and ready for the rest of the season and Coach Richards has now unleashed the beast.
Coach Richards and Culbreath have also adjusted the race strategy for this season. In the first mile, "I tried to stay with the pack and feel what they were going to do, once I hit the mile mark I truly began to take off and try to hit 5:20 splits."
This was her second UIL 5A state cross country championship in as many years. After state last year, Culbreath went on to win Nike Cross Nationals South Region and then finished in 12th at the NXN national meet. Not having made a decision just yet on what route they'll take moving forward on the season, we will just have to wait and watch to see when, where, and how she races. Whether it's Nike, Foot Locker, or both, it looks like the sky is the limit for the two-time 5A state cross country champion.
