Welcome to the 2020 cross country season. The 2020 UIL season is filled with meets more than dual or tri meets, but less than the traditional invitationals the Texas season is used to having. Thus far, that has brought several top teams together focusing on each other. That's to be expected with less teams, but so far we have seen quality match ups.
The Kingwood girls posted a win at the Kingwood Tri Plus 1, a quad meet with some big time Houston area teams. The win came down to the sixth runner to break a 38-38 tie over The Woodlands girls.
Kingwood, the 2019 UIL 6A runner-ups, were winning 15-16 through three runners. With only four teams, the wait and watch at the finish line was on. Both, the Lady Mustangs and The Lady Highlanders' fourth and fifth runners were pressing to the finish line creating the tie.
The race essentially came down to eight seconds. Kingwood sophomore Anastasia Small finished 13th place 16:03.72 and The Woodlands' junior Lauren Nguyen finished 15th in 16:11.42.
The competed distance was only 4,000m, but both teams ran well. Kingwood finished with a 15:37 team average and a 40 second 1-5 split. The Woodlands had a 15:38 average and a 46 second 1-5 split.
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At the Amarillo ISD Invitational Meet, more tight racing was happening. Three state meet teams from last season including two podium team went head to head producing a superb match up. Canyon Randall, Amarillo, and Canyon are some of the best programs in West Texas and their battle came down to a ten point separation.
The three teams placed three runners each for nine runners in the top 10. Randall dropped 39 points for the win to beat both state podium teams. Amarillo followed, behind by seven points in second scoring 46 and Canyon third with 49.