Andruw Villa was the Region 1-6A runner-up
6A BoysFrom the onset of the season, Kevin Sanchez (Austin Vandegrift) established himself as one of Texas' top runners by rattling off low 15s and a couple of sub 15 minute performances. Only one Texas runner has beaten him this season and it wasn't a UIL runner.
Region 3-6A competitors Emanuel Galdino (Houston Stratford) and Noah Haileab (Pearland Dawson) are both rounding into good fitness at the right time of the year. The 15:09 times in extreme running conditions make that clear.
They are by far not the only competitors Sanchez will need to be on the look out for. He has yet to race Hudson Heikkinen (Plano West) and Omer Ibrahim (El Paso Pebble Hills) this year. They have both been running their ends of the state and the clash is set for Round Rock.
Also running well this season are Israel David (El Paso Eastlake), Reese Vannerson (Houston Strake Jesuit), Luis Pastor (El Paso Coronado), Andruw Villa (Abilene), Nathanael Berhane (Wylie), and Kyle Easton (The Woodlands) Hector Solis (PSJA North) and Ruben Rojas Betanzos (Katy Seven Lakes).
Several of these guys have either placed high in previous state meets or have had some really good races this year to prove they will be in the hunt.
The team race should be fun to watch this weekend. Southlake Carroll is the real deal and El Paso Eastwood is also very good. Carroll got the best of Eastwood last week at the Region 1-6A meet, but expect Eastwood to be better this weekend.
The Woodlands made the podium last year as usual and might be able to do it again. Plano West, Atascocita, and Round Rock are all hot on the trail of the award stand.
Predictions
Sanchez has got to be the favorite and I think it will be hard for anyone to beat him. He has gone out with fast races and he has sat and kicked. The sit and kick strategy is dangerous with the guys with leg speed in the race, but it's hard to envision anyone beating him.
I have two wildcard runners that many may not be paying attention to. I think Nicholas Grams (Conroe Oak Ridge) and Geovany Cisneros (Harlingen) have the ability to medal this weekend.
Team wise, I think it's a two dog fight with Carroll and Eastwood. Eastwood is scary good, but Carroll is disciplined and consistent. They look like they are ready to turn things up another notch.
That leaves one position open on the podium. History is against everyone when you're talking about Carroll and The Woodlands. There are teams who can run tight like Round Rock and Atascocita, but can they run fast enough while keeping their compression down.
My guess on the top seven teams goes like this: Soutlhake Carroll, Eastwood, The Woodlands, Atascocita, Plano West, Round Rock, and Prosper.