McKenzie Bailey (L) and Amy Morefield (R) are two of the top juniors in the 2022 cross country season
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The fastest girl in the state last year was also the fastest girl in the nation. Natalie Cook has since graduated, but being the UIL 6A state champion means there will be a new 6A state champ this year.
Cook isn't the only champion graduate; her new college teammate at Oklahoma State is Cameron McConnell who won the 5A state title. Last year's 4A state champ Abigail Bass will be in 5A this year due to realignment; 3A state champ Hannah Spears graduated and is headed to Texas Tech; and 2A state champ, 2A champ Kyla Kane also graduated and will play basketball at West Texas A&M; and TAPPS 6A state champ Leah Klenke graduated and will play soccer at Notre Dame.
That leaves the UIL 1A state champ, SPC state champ, TAPPS 1A- 5A state champ, and Homeschool state champ as the returning champions. That makes nearly half of the state champions open for completely new girls to be state champs...
