7. Edwin Gomez - San Elizario And Judson Greer - Melissa
Normally, there wouldn't be a tie and if so, but these two guys have taken turns over the last two seasons totally controlling the UIL 4A classification. Both the track and cross country champion has been one of these two guys except for one. That's seven of eight state championships that have gone to two of these guys.
In 2018, as freshmen, Gomez won the triple crown of XC, 1600m, and 3200m championships. Last year, it was Greer who swept them all. Gomez won the 800m championship this past spring.
At the 2018 NXR South championships, it was Greer who led the majority of the race and not relinquishing he lead until the last 1200m or so. Gomez, with several other top guys was able to keep contact and overcome Greer in the last part of the race. Gomez qualified for NXN as an individual.
These two guys are so evenly matched that we decided to let this season be the deciding separation between the two.
7. Edwin Gomez - San Elizario
Gomez is the highest ranked non-senior on the list. He entered high school as a young phenom in the El Paso area. It was known that the kid could run. He entered a program that had won three consecutive state championships and initially, there wasn't any pressure upon him but to just mesh and fit in. Gomez became the number one team's number one runner from the get to. He ran to the state's top distance runner in 4A by winning the state cross country championship in 2017 as a freshman. He then continued to dominate in track season when he completed the distance triple crown when he won both longer distance events at state. In 2018, Gomez ran strong and consistent all season long until he got to the state meet. His usual style and talent continued to stand out, but he was just outran by Greer. Greer won this time 15:02 to Gomez' 15:07. Gomez would bounce back two weeks later and qualify for NXN by placing fifth at NXR South. Gomez won the 800m state title in track season and added two bronze medals in both the 1600m and the 3200m. Gomez' PRs are 1:55, 4:17, 9:17, and 15:07, which are impressive for an athlete just now entering his junior season. Include the NXN experience and Gomez could be outstanding this 2019 season.
7. Judson Greer - Melissa
The other highest ranked non-senior on the list had a breakout sophomore year. He didn't garner as much attention throughout the year as some of the guys in larger classifications, but he consistently was able to compete with just about anyone in the state and dominated at the 4A level. In the fall, he defeated Edwin Gomez to win his first state title in cross country with a time of 15:02 on the Old Settlers Park course. He would also go on to finish 12th at Nike Cross Regionals which is incredibly impressive considering it was his first time running in the NXR championship race which is not always a smooth experience for young guys who aren't used to being in such an intense, competitive field. In the spring, Greer nearly went undefeated in the 3200, with his only loss being a fifth place finish at the Jesuit-Sheaner Relays. He won the 4a 3200 state title by 11 seconds in 9:06. Over the past few years, we in Texas have become accustomed to seeing sophomore boys drop crazy 3200 times. Most of the time however, those performances came in highly competitive races and usually included older elite guys. In the 4A state 3200, Greer was able to run 9:06 with no serious competition. In the 1600, Greer secured a narrow victory in the 1600 running 4:14. Greer will have stiff competition in conference 4a races this year mainly from Edwin Gomez. While he'll still have to be at his best to defend his titles in 4A, this season will probably be one where Greer goes from 4a sophomore superstar to one of the best in the south.