5A Girls
The usual Region 2-5A powers will all be in the mix. The Highland Parks and Kaufmans of the region will all be in play and challenge for a state meet position.
The tam race will be a close one. The defending state champions, Frisco Wakeland will be a major factor. They won the state meet with a lot of young crop of runners last year and their sophomore dominated roster should be one of the favorites to qualify. They run as a team and their 25 second split will be difficult to beat. Highland Park is always thee and will be lurking again this season. Like Wakeland, HP also has a young squad with a lot of promise and they run very tough.
Also in the mix is Frisco Reedy, Lucas Lovejoy, and McKinney North. All three teams are led by front runners who have a chance of winning the meet. With legitimate low sticks, they will be counting on the 2 - 5 runners to decide on whether or not they make it to state. But, don't be surprised if the winner between these three team's leaders London Culbreath, Colleen Stegmann, and Amy Morefield become the difference maker as the race for the qualifying spots could be that close.
Those are exactly the stakes that make cross country a great sport.
Here are the girls top four team finishes:
1. Frisco Wakeland
2. Highland Park
3. Frisco Reedy
4. Lucas Lovejoy
The individual race in this region has needed very little thought to figure out who would win. Culbreath has had a strong grasp on things. Recently, things have gotten very interesting. Stegmann is an absolute stud who has developed into one of Texas' best distance runners and could very well win regionals and state. Lovejoy's Morefield has run strong all season long and doesn't seem to care who is supposed to win. She even beat Culbreath at their district meet. Don't overlook HP's Cameron Fawcett as she has developed in to a front runner as well.
However Culbreath is the three time state champion, she is a veteran, and she is smart. The entire field has come close to throne, but to overthrow the queen, you have to beat her when it counts. We saw her take on serious challenges last track season after her loss at Texas Relays and her response was winnning out through the championship season including two state championships in the longer distances. She knows how to win and if at her best, there is still a big gap. Yes, Culbreath has gone through three XC seasons and hasn't lost a meet until nationals. Yes, she lost at McNeil and at distict and hasn't won a race yet this season, but is this a result of following their season long plan? Each season we have witnessed Culbreath and Coach Richards modify things and approach each season different than the previous one.
Who knows, but this is rounding out to be a season far from what everyone has expected, so we will have to wait and find out. But, right now, I'm riding with the champ.
5A Boys
As with the girls, your typical regional teams are going to be in the mix. Lucas Lovejoy and Frisco Wakeland will be leaders in this tam race. Lovejoy will probably execute a fantastic race and win by a big margin, no chance of them losing a district title this year. Wakeland will get a push from district foes Reedy and Liberty, but they will likely take second followed by the other Frisco schools.
Here are the boys top four team finishes:
1. Lucas Lovejoy
2. Frisco Wakeland
3. Frisco Reedy
4. Frisco Liberty
Now, if you want some excitement in the 5A boys race, it will be for the individual win. There are several guys who will push for the win and a nice front pack will develop early. Throughout the race we'll just see who has the fitness to last until the end.
Owen Likins, Will Muirhead, Christian Rivera, and Wyatt Wingard will all be there for sure. They are just too talented not to lead this race and too competitive not to push for the win. However, other talented runners will also be a factor in this. Kevin Curry IV, Brady Laboret, and Gudisa Adnow are all legit and will be in the front and chase packs.