Culbreath and Stegmann both raced at Texas Relays and Area and have two more classic meets
The race was an anticipated match up between the two based on happenings or lack there of throughout this 2019 season. And, it didn't let spectators down.
Both girls ran stride by stride up the home stretch towards the finish line and were only separated by a slimmer of day light at the finish. The winning time of 11:06.13 went to Culbreath with Stegmann thousands of a second behind in 11:06.19.
Stegmann is having an excellent follow up season to her freshman year on the track that ended up in a second place finish at the 2018 UIL 5A 3200m state championship and third place in the 1600m. Both of those races were won by Culbreath.
This track season has produced three big time PRs for the Reedy star with a 2:14.22 (800m), 4:55.75 (1600m), and 10:30.42 (3200m). Stegmann's 3200m PR run ended up in a Texas Relays third place finish and currently has her ranked #27 in the country.
Her continued rise this season is further exhibited by her ability to bring her A game in big time races. She does not shy from big time competition, which is not only demonstrated by her finishes at the state track but also at cross country meets. Stegmann had an eighth place finish at the Nike Cross Nationals South Regional and a 13th at the Foot Locker South Regional during cross. To go along with her finish at Texas Relays, she won the Jesuit-Sheaner Relays 3200m in a meet record of 10:40.09 and was fourth at the Texas Distance Festival 5K, this track season.
We have seen very little from Culbreath this track season, but when we have, her times have still been impressive.
Once unbeaten on Texas soil, that streak was broken at the Texas Relays when she finished eighth overall in the 3200m. Although the race did not result in a win, her time was still under 11:00 with the 10:52.96.
After the hiccup, Cubreath is back to her winning ways and possibly finding her rhythm during the championship season run to the state meet. Her championship rhythm is one that has been proven tough for others to conquer. Culbreath has competed in several district, area, regional, and even seven individual state championship races in her high school career and has yet to lose.
The biggest threat to win one of those UIL 5A state championships over Culbreath is none other than Stegmann.
The two also faced off in the 1600m and it was another close call for both with Culbreath getting the win again in 5:04.88 to 5:04.99. After having two narrow victories at the Area meet, and two to four more possibly coming up, this is one journey to the state championship to keep an eye on!