TAPPS All-State First Team
7 Luke Mason (Sugarland Logos Prep)
After a TAPPS 4A runner-up finish last year, winning this season wouldn't have been a surprise. In fact, after winning five races this season and top three finishes in the others, not taking the state championship would have been more surprising. Mason earned his state title by beating the two time defending state champ.
6 Zachary Kleppel (Spring Providence Classical)
Kleppel had a great junior season that saw several wins including a state championship. A consistent season of mid 16s and a PR of 16:16 ended with the TAPPS 3A title.
5 William Peters (Dallas Covenant)
Peters began his senior year with a top 19th place finish at the Marcus Coath T Inv. and then rattled four straight big UIL meet races. He had a win, a runner-up finish, and then had 15:54 and 15:48 5k races for top 10 finishes. He finished his high school career with a second place finish at the TAPPS 3A state meet.
4 Cullen McCaleb (Dallas Lakehill Prep)
McCaleb was second at the TAPPS 3A state meet, but that was his slowest time of the season. What wasn't slow was the senior's six races at 16:22 and under as he ran big against the UIL competition this year. He went 16:10 at the Garmin MileSplit TX XC Inv, 16:06 at Hoka One/McNeil, and 15:47 at the Jesuit XC Classic. McCaleb actually ended his season on a good note with a 42nd place at the South Regional Team Championships.
3 Ben Tijerina (San Antonio Antonian)
The Antonian senior had his best cross country season of his high school career. Not only did he run his fastest true 5K race, but he also ran sub 16:20 all season long beginning with his 17:17 in the first at the distance. Tijernia won one of the Chile Pepper races and ended things with the TAPPS 6A individual championship. He did his best to add another team title for Antonian and was able to garner a second place team finish.
Franco Parra (3274)
2 Franco Parra (San Antonio TMI)
Franco kick started his season off with a 15:10 and third place finish at the FEAT Patriot Inv. He then went 15:21 and 15:37 for the full 5K. The second was a 12th place finish at the illustrious Hoka One/McNeil Inv. He finished the season with a 16:41 at SACS and then was second at the TAPPS 5A state meet and helped his team to the state championship.
Marcelo Parra (3022)
1 Marcelo Parra (San Antonio TMI)
Marcelo not only had to battle competitors and his own twin brother for the top spot. He won the TAPPS 5A individual cross country championships and was the low stick to help win the team title. Marcelo started the season off strong with a 15:13 performance at the FEAST Patriot Inv. and then dropped two mid 15 minute runs at true 5K distances. He had a top 10 finish at the Hoka One/McNeil Inv.