Last season the Gladewater Union Grove girls made one of the biggest one season improvements in a long time. They went from scoring a total of eight points at the 2016 state meet to scoring 56 points at the 2017 state meet and carrying away the first place trophy.
Will it be someone else's turn this year?
Union Grove graduated a couple of big time scorers but they do have some girls back for a title defense. They'll just be missing the big points they racked up from the relays lat year.
However, their senior leader Summer Grubbs will take her team to Austin ready to do battle agains 2As best competitors.
On the boys side, New Deal edged out Crawford 52-48 for another team title. Like Union Grove on the girls side, New Deal graduated some top sprinters and hurdlers opening the door for some other squads.
Challengers:
The girls race will see teams like Shiner, Vega, and Refugio looking to put up some big point in efforts to win themselves a team state title.
Shiner won the title back in 2016 and was second last year. They have enjoyed the team success over the years and look forward to getting back at the top spot. Refugio has also been one of the top 2A girls teams in recent years. They tied for third over all in 2016 and was third last year. This 2018 championship meet could be the year they take home a first place trophy.
However, there is one sleeper team to watch and see if they can pull a Union Grove year to year change and that is San Saba. Last year, they scored six total points. This season, the Lady Dillos finished behind Shiner at the Area meet and then had a tough regional battle with Refugio and was second in the team standing by only four points.
They will count on their relays to bring in some points as well as their individual events to score some points.The 4x200 and 4x400 relays will have to battle the big dawgs of 2A, but they just might be up for the challenge. They will also look to get points from Analyn Bohensky (PV), Courtnee Cash (200), Ashlyn Cash (300H), Brighton Adams (800), and Kaleigh Ellis (1600 & 3200).
On the boys side, A winner could come from anywhere. Milano and Valley View have some of the most qualifiers but mostly individuals. If Milano could cash in with big double points from their two relays then they could be a tough team to beat.
Athletes To Watch:
Freshman Allison Hedrick could be an impact athlete. The Lindsay distance runner is the top seed in both the 1600 and 3200 races. She will take on other top distance runners like Ellis and Sydney Reynolds and Lynda Martinez.
On the boys side, Steven Quintanilla is back. He will give it a go in both the 800 and the 3200.
Schedule:
Friday - 8:00 am - Field Events
Saturday - 8:00 am - Field Events and 3200
Saturday - 5:00 pm - Track Events