NXR South Breakdown And Predictions

BOYS RACE

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Weather conditions in and around Houston will be ideal on Saturday. But it is predicted to rain on Friday, so the course conditions could possibly be a concern. Course conditions will continue to be monitored, but at worse, they could resemble NXN conditions.

2018: 1. El Paso Eastowood (TX); 2. Southlake Carroll (TX); 3.Flower Mound (TX), 4. The Woodlands (TX)

2017: 1. Flower Mound (TX); 2. Southlake Carroll (TX); 3. El Paso Eastwood (TX); 4. The Woodlands (TX); 5. Klein (TX)

2016: 1. Southlake Carroll (TX), 2. College Park (TX), 3. The Woodlands (TX), 4. El Paso Eastwood (TX), 5. Kingwood (TX)

2015: 1. The Woodlands (TX), 2. Southlake Carroll (TX), 3. Flower Mound (TX), 4. College Park (TX), 5. Smithson Valley (TX)

2014: 1. Southlake Carroll (TX), 2. The Woodlands (TX), 3. Rogers (AR), 4. College Park (TX), 5. Katy Seven Lakes (TX)

CONFIDENCE PICKS BY MILESPLIT: 

1. El Paso Eastwood (TX); 2. Southlake Carroll (TX); 3. The Woodlands (TX); 4. Flower Mound (TX); 5. Grapevine (TX)

Teams To Pay Attention To: 

• El Paso Eastwood (TX): The squad qualified for NXN for the first time in their program history last year. They finished last in the entire field. But, they are back. They  take losses every year, but they keep coming back. Three years ago, they graduated perhaps the best runner in their history in Daniel Bernal, they come back and finish second place at the UIL 6A state meet. They then win the 5A title the next year and qualify for NXN. Last year, the graduate three key members of the NXN team and they come back to win state again and are some how possibly better than last year's team. They had the best team statistical race at the state meet and for the first time they will arrive in The Woodlands as the team to beat for the NXR South team win. They are carrying their city, their school, and their community on the backs. Coach McLain's El Paso Eastwood Troopers have wide shoulders!

• Southlake Carroll (TX): The Dragons have not let their foot off the pedal all season long and they show no signs of stopping now. The Dragons have attained the UIL 6A state championship trophy that has been in their sights for four years. What hasn't eluded them was an NXN berth. While they haven't won the state title the last four years, they have managed to keep punching their ticket to Portland. The sweet taste of doing both in the same year is one nobody has tasted in years and Coach Leonard's group would like to. Carroll has beat everybody in the last couple of weeks in the season, and they placed third at Woodbridge Cross Country Classic and the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival. They also have a win over Eastwood head to head at Wood bridge. The rematch is tomorrow. Sit back and enjoy because it will be a heck of a match up!

• The Woodlands (TX): The Highlanders have finally fallen. Sort of. While they did not win the 2019 UIL 6A state championship, it took one of the best team performance ever to beat them. If not, we'd be talking about the Highlanders winning five state titles. And even though we aren't, it should not be overlooked that this team is very good. Just look at what they have have accomplished the last two years and at what level they continue to rise to. The Woodlands has major wins in a couple of meets including Nike Desert Twilight Festival over Eastwood. They have two low stick runners with Ryan Cardinal and Ethan Hammer that will keep them in a good position. With the state meet in the rear view mirror, the Highlanders are definitely expecting redemption at Bear Branch Park tomorrow. Trust me, they are well aware that the girls and boys UIL 6A champs have not not won the NXR South title in over four years and the boys winner hasn't qualified for NXN. No better time for them to keep that streak alive.

• Flower Mound (TX): The Jaguars had a great 2019 season. They have hit a lull over the last two meets, but you can expect them to get their groove back for this meet. If they are clicking, things will be extremely close between the top four teams. Fast and Tight is the only way to qualify out of this bunch and Flower Mound can do that with the best of them. They been tested a lot this season and have passed more so than not. Like The Woodlands, they have two legit low sticks, but their pack has been faster and just about tighter than anyone else. If they are on their A game, the Jaguars could win this meet and relive their 2017 NXR South title.

• Grapevine (TX): The team is young and most of their roster was running in the Rising Challenge races last year. What a difference a year makes. These young guys are gutsy and good. This could be another developmental and experience type of race for them before they have undoubted expectations, but that doesn't mean it's a throw away race. Sophomores Walker St. John and Trey Leathers are two of the young leaders of this group that doesn't lack confidence. The Mustangs are probably a year away from flexing their muscle, but they are still a threat in tomorrow's race.

• Klein (TX): The team another squad that will be a force next year, but can still throw a wrench in the plan of one of the favorites. They proved their potential at the Region 2 race and the UIL 6A state meet. Christopher Daniels and Gustavo Posada are a solid 1 - 2 punch and they keep their squad in the mix. They have a very solid 3 - 5 set of runners, who could navigate their way through Saturday's race and capitalize on the short comings of the top teams.
• El Paso Americas (TX): Americas had a great race at the Region 1-6A meet. They were a part of the amazing 6A team race, but the got lost in the shuffle with the amount of deep teams who ran well that day. However, their 15:38 team average and 42 second split is still worth mentioning and keep an eye out on them. They know how to race and are capable of catching people by surprise if you over look them. Just ask the Region 1 folks.