Borden County Girls Enter Season As CCCAT 1A No. 3 Preseason

Many may have heard of Borden County from its constant success in UIL activities but few outside of West Texas know where this school is actually located. The small town of Gail with its population of 231 is where the Borden County Coyotes call home.  If you are in Gail you must visit The Coyote, which was established in 1985, as a local restaurant in Gail but has quickly grown into the newest classic country music venue bringing live music talent to the area. 

Borden County is a large farming and ranching community where many of our students are the third or fourth generation of their family to attend the school. A large number of the students drive thirty miles or more to attend Borden County schools as it is the only school in the county of 675 people.  

The school is the center of the community, and because of that support and lots of hard work and dedication, the kids enjoy success in many different areas.  A perfect example of this is the annual community run hosted by the Lady Coyote Cross Country team.  People from all of the county (and some from surrounding counties) come to enjoy a run around town and spend time together. Coach Schmidt said "One of the best things about our Lady Coyote program is that we run a mentor program and have many service projects throughout the year to benefit different area organizations and/or families in need."

Borden County poses for a team photo

Coach Lindsey Schmidt is entering her 6th year as the head cross country coach at Borden County.  In this time period the Lady Coyotes have been regional champions in 2017, 2019 and 2021.  In the 2017 and 2019 seasons they finished fifth at the state meet and last season they were able to get on the podium finishing third.  

With the entire team coming back from last year it looks like it could be a special season for the Lady Coyotes.  

Coach Schmidt said this groups greatest attribute is that the girls are "a very selfless group of girls that want to do well in everything they do.  Borden County has had some success in XC the last few years, and this group wants to continue to build off of what those before them began. This group refuses to let this program die, and they also understand that success breeds success. Everything that we do from the start of the year helps to build success in the next sport, and the next, and the next."  

After last year's podium finish it Coach Schmidt is looking forward to the start of this season.  "I love to see a group of young people come together to work towards a common goal. Cross Country is a hard sport to love. These girls have to put their personal feelings aside to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They are all struggling with something they need to overcome mentally to be the best they can be, and it's amazing to see them find ways to persevere and overcome those obstacles."

Let's meet the Lady Coyotes.

Borden County's top seven runners pose for a photo ahead of the 2022 season

Junior Kambell Schmidt finished 65 at the state meet.  Her favorite cross country quote is "In it for the Long Run".  When asked what she has learned from the past seasons she said "Over the last couple of years, I've learned to run for something bigger than myself and also to set the tone for everything we contribute to this year."

Sophomore Tyler Cole finished 87 at the state meet.  Her favorite XC Quote: "Winners are not people who never fail but people who never quit."  Tyler believes that "Last season I learned that you don't have to be #1 or #2 to contribute to your team."

Sophomore Kenlei Estes finished 92 at the state meet.  Her favorite cross country quote is "Your goal isn't always to beat your opponent; most of the time it's to overcome your own mindset." Kenlei said that "Last year I learned that it's going to hurt no matter what so you might as well push yourself harder and get a pr."

Sophomore Tynslee Horton.  Her favorite cross country quote is "Success isn't how much you got but the distance you traveled from where you started."  Tynslee said "Last season I learned that no matter the circumstances, always push yourself to be better and have a positive mindset."

Junior Brette Kaite Behrens believes "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Sophomore Abigail Sosa said "It never gets easier, you just get better."

Senior Allie Murphy is hoping that this year the team takes this quote with them into the big meets "Some people want it to happen. Some wish it would happen. Others make it happen."

Borden County will kick off their season on August 30 with their community run.  The rest of their schedule will be at Eula on September 6, Hamlin September 21 and then Rotan September 28 before they compete in their district meet.  Coach Schmidt is hoping these meets will prepare them for the tough regional course at Mae Simmons Park.  This meet will be an extremely tight one as last year the top 9 schools were only separated by 41 points.