Bailey Neal returns to win her second Region 3-1A title
Class 1A
As mentioned on the last page, this classification will be separate from the rest of the region. That is just the beginning of separation for this classification. Dominant runners in the region have left due to either graduation or transfer.
Miller Grove cornerstone runners Jorja Besonnett and Jolee Fox both graduated and that opens the door for everyone else.
Last year's regional champ Bailey Neal (Sulphur Bluff) returns for her senior season. Her 12:15 leads the region and is just 3 seconds behind her winning time from last season.
Sydney Partin (Priddy) - 12:27 and Linzie Priddy (Nocona Prairie) - 12:49 are the two other runners in the region to gun under 13-minutes.
Slidell and Priddy should be the team favorites in the team race. Priddy has a 13:42 team average, but they have a 1:49 1-5 split, which opens the door for Slidell who has a slightly slower team average at 13:46, but the 1:07 split gives them as good of a chance to get the win.
It is a new day team wise for the 3-1A girls and it will definitely be the same for the boys.
The top three runners from the last three plus years are all gone from this region. Garrett Tarver from Saltillo and Kobe Robertson of Miller Grove were both dominant the last four years. They've graduated and state champion Isaiah Billingsley transferred due to a move and he will compete in Region 4-1A.
That leaves the door open for a new champion. . . that is where Lance Verner Davis walks in. Davis has competed against Tarver for three years and trained with Billingsley and Robertson, so he should be well equipped to be in contention for the regional win.
Christian Gonzalez (Sulphur Bluff) and Zack Ward (Priddy) will give Davis a challenge for the title.
With all of the changes and turnover at Miller Grove, that makes their boys squad vulnerable, but they are still very solid and capable of winning the region.
They have a 17:40 team average and a 1:39 split. Tanner Hensley will provide the help Davis needs up front and their 3-5 runners could all push for top-10 finishes.
The everlasting Miller Grove/Saltillo battle should continue to live as Saltillo will be one of the teams pushing for the win. Add Priddy, Slidell, and Sulphur Bluff, this is going to be the usual Region 3-1A battle.