Wellington girls interview after their race at the 2021 Canyon Invitational
Class 2A
Region 2-2A was so good last year that the top 5 finishers were in the top 10 at the state meet. Team wise, Sundown and Gruver were first and second at regionals and only separated by five points; they went on to finish first and second at state.
Wellington senior Kyla Kane is one of the state's best athletes; the defending state champion is a division 1 basketball signee. However, she isn't the only big time athlete to watch out for next week. Farwell freshman Isabella Jaime has the top time heading into Lubbock with her 11:59, but she also has found success in the 400m, 800m, and the jumps at the junior high level.
Sundown has had stranglehold on the region for many years, but this could be the year some other teams shoot their shot. Gruver is back; they graduated two key contributors, but with Brenna Butler and the other girls they have a shot for both regional and state championships. They also have the ability to run within 16 - 20 seconds of one another from 1-5, which could be a key for them.
They'll have their hands full as Wellington, Christoval, and Farwell all have better team averages. We mentioned that Wellington's Kane is quite the athlete, but so is her entire team. You don't want to play a pick-up basketball game with these girls and you don't want to run a race against them either.
The fifth runners will be the deciding factor between the team placements.
Levi McGill (Panhandle) is no stranger to having success at the Region 2-1A. He has qualified for the state meet every year and this year should be no different; he was runner-up last year.
However, he will have plenty of competition; Jacob Ramirez (Coleman) has the top time heading into Monday (17:06), Samuel Walls (Post) 17:21, Hudson Fowler (Ozona) 17;43 and Cory Ybarra (Ozona) 17:44 are all in the mix to challenge for the individual regional crown.
The Christoval boys were the regional runners-up last year and look to be the team to beat. They have front runners Ben McCann, Kyle Abilez, and Landon Scott make a tough 1 - 3 punch and help the team average around 18:22.
However, Ozona is having a heck of a year and should be considered the favorites heading into the regional meet. They have a big three of their own who have all gone sub 18:00 minutes.
Eldorado should finish comfortably in the three spot, but the battle for the fourth and final qualifying spot could be between Fort Hancock, Plains, and Sundown.