Union Grove qualified for another state meet
2A Girls
The UIL 2A girls division is in a year of transition. Most of the top girls from last season have graduated.
The individual race has one mainstay returning; that would be Wellington senior Kyla Kane. Kane was first at state as a freshman, second as a sophomore, and then won it again last year.
In order for her to win it all again, she'll have to dodge the youngsters who are hungry for a state title the same way when she was as a freshman.
Last week, she had to beat four freshmen who finished in the second through fourth places at the regional meet.
For Kane to win again, she'll have to top girls like Cassidy Bilsing (Normangee) who was fourth at state last year in the 3200m in 11:53.52. She was recently second at the Region 4-1A championships.
There is also Emma Walterscheid (Muenster) who ranks third on the season with a time of 11:57 and was second at the Region 2-2A meet in 12:33. Also runner-up at regionals behind Kane was freshman Isabella Jaime (Farwell) with a time of 12:50.90.
Christoval is one of the returning teams from last season with a good chance to take it all. They won Region 1 over Wellington by 30 points, but things can change when you get to state.
Wellington has Kane and a host of other tough basketball girls who excel in multiple sports who make up their cross country team.
Predictions
Kane should add to her legacy and take the state title again. Her girls should help her get a team trophy, but Christoval's returning experience should net them the top spot.
Tenaha and New Summerfield boys qualified for the state meet
Abraham Morales (Brackett) was the state runner-up last year and last week, he won Region 4-2A in 16:47 with Connor Bartek (Goldthwaite) behind him in second with a time of 17:03.
Bartek finished 11th last season just outside of the podium finishers, but he is on a roll this year and could medal on Saturday.
At Region 2-2A, Caden Thurman (Wolfe City) dropped a 16:50 for the win. Finishing behind him was the Hamilton duo of Caleb Lengefeld 17:21 and Dawson Melde in 17:40.
The 2A boys team race will be a dandy on Saturday. Poolville and Hamilton had the race we expected at Region 2-2A. Poolville topped Hamilton by only two points and we should see another classic battle between the two again.
Defending 2A state champion Port Aransas returns four runners from last year, and when you add strong teams like Plains and Quanah, this will be a spectacular race.
Predictions
Morales could get his state title this weekend. He has several guys who will help push him and he might be in the best fitness of his career.
Team wise, it's going to boil down to Poolville and Hamilton. Poolville's fourth man was just four seconds ahead of Hamilton's third and fourth runners. If at least one of them leaps Poolville then things could change.
If Hamilton's runners don't play football Friday night, they could be well rested. For that fact, we're going to pick Hamilton to take the win.