UIL State Cross Country Meet Class By Class Preview

1A

Girls

Individual: Jorja Bessonett and Chloe Trull

These two are two of the top returners in 1A. Bessonett is healthy and she is out to regain her top spot. She looked dominant at the Region 3 meet and it is going to be tough to beat her. She is the only girl to run under 12:00. Trull has had a good season as well and she is the top returner from last year with her third place finish.

Sleeper: Kyli Melton

Melton is the next Miller Grove star in the making. She was second at the regional meet to her teammate Bessonett. Melton could challenge for the runner-up spot and could give Miller Grove the 1 - 2 finish.

Teams: Gail Borden County, Buena Vista, Lipan, Miller Grove

Miller Grove lost the state meet last year due to a tie breaker. That shouldn't happen this year. They have their star back to full strength and they have a stud freshman to make them even more potent. Topping them this year will be extremely tough!

Sleeper: Buena Vista

Buena Vista will line up the Sanchez sisters. Mariana Sanchez was fourth at state last year as a freshman and she is running very well again this year. However, that is just the beginning of things. Her younger sister Ireland Sanchez can run as well. She beat Mariana at the region meet by 0.12 of a second. That combo will give Buena Vista a good start at state.

Boys

Individual: Isaiah Billingsley and Kobe Robertson

Billingsley is now healthy and his fitness looks pretty good; Just look at his times! Last year, he ran on a high level, but didn't have a good state meet race. This year, he should flex his muscles and run very impressively.

Although Billingsley is going to be tough to beat, if there is one person who can do it, look no further than the guy riding the bus with him and lining up next to him. Kobe Robertson is a straight up stud. He experienced his share of nagging injuries last year, but he has a clean bill of health this year and he is running like it.

Sleeper: Garrett Tarver

Who can run with two guys who look like deer out there? Tarver can. He has done it before and he put up a good challenge at the region meet. If he put in some work in the last two weeks, he could be prepared to give it another shot. Tarver is the top returner from last year's state meet where he finished third overall. He can run in the big moment!

Teams: Miller Grove, Saltillo, Priddy

Are the three best teams in 1A all from Region 3?

It's possible. These three are really good. Miller Grove could have the best 1A duo in a really long time if not ever. They also have a strong three and the four and five. Saltillo is a gutsy group of guys and they gave Miller Grove all they could handle at the region. Round two will be a good one!

Sleeper: Springlake Earth

Earth has a solid group back from last year's fifth place finish. Senior Matthew Cruz could medal and that would be a good lead for them to possibly get at trophy.