McNeil Inv. Gold Race Preview And Entries

William Grundy

Boys compete at the 2022 McNeil Inv. in the Silver race

Gold Girls Entries

Gold Boys Entires

Silver Girls Entries

Silver Boys Entries


The McNeil Invitational has always been a talent magnet. Some of the best in the state head down to Round Rock to get a glimpse and a run on the UIL state meet course.

That draw is just as good this year. In fact, it has some of the best individuals in the state as well as top teams. There are 226 Gold boys and 258 Gold girls, so the runners will have to be on their A-games.

We have some teams and individuals entered in the Gold races that you need to be on the lookout for tomorrow.

- - -

Girls

Individually, the girls race figures to be the main attraction. Here are the individuals to keep a eye on:

Elizabeth Leachman (Boerne Champion) - The Champion sophomore has left every course she has touched on fire. Last weekend, she ran 15:32 at Woodbridge last weekend to place runner-up. That was her second fifteen-minute run of the season .... she has a 16:34 on a true 5K course and could drop that this weekend. 

Isabel Conde De Frankenberg (Cedar Park) - Frankenberg didn't have the end to the track season she would have written last spring. It was cut short due to injury and she has been working her way back into fitness after rehabbing. She ran 18:19 to win the Cedar Park Inv. two weeks ago and will get a good litmus test tomorrow.

San Juanita Leal (Edinburg North) - Leal had a heck of a track season winning two state title over some incredible runners. She has a season best run of 17:43, but hasn't had a lot of challenge. That should change this weekend.

Margaret Thompson (Hockaday) - Thompson is one of the best runners in the private school ranks. The SPC 2022 runner-up is eyeing her first cross country state title and with six weeks left of running, look for her to step things up this week.

Emma Wade (Vista Ridge) - Wade will make the trip right down the road to Old Settler's. She is one of the state's best distance runners and only has one loss this season. Frankenberg topped her at Cedar Park two weeks ago, but she has a national win from the City Auto MEMPHIS TWILIGHT XC CLASSIC. She'll be a front runner.

Madison Larsen (Aledo) - Larsen has been running extremely well in her first UIL season, but had a DNF last weekend in College Station at A&M. Expect a bounce-back run this weekend.


Sleepers to Lookout For

Micah Mizell (Round Rock Stony Point) - The senior is undefeated this season and ran 18:03 two times. Look for her to come away with a big time PR this weekend.

Dana Rojas Vasquez (McAllen) - Vasquez has a 17:56 and a 18:07 from races down in the RGV. She'll get a challenge on Saturday and could prove herself to be one to watch. The senior should at least get a big time PR.

Mia Perez (Smithson Valley) - Perez is best known for her 2:11 and 4:57 exploits as a sophomore last year, but the Smithson Valley runner is dangerous on the cross country course as well. She has either won or finished runner-up in every race except one, which was a fifth place run at the Patriot Inv.

Miah McAulay (Austin Bowie) -  The Bowie sophomore has been in contention in every race this season. Runner-up finishes are the lowest she's produced and this weekend will be a test, but could result in her best race to date.


Teams

There are several CCCAT Ranked teams competing this weekend at Old Settler's. No.3  ranked Austin Vandegrift is fresh off of a good experience at Woodbridge. Kingwood was a podium team last year and the return a couple of young members from that team. They will be looking to get a taste of Old Settler's for November. 

The Bridgeland girls are looking to mix it up with some of the state's top squads. They began the year ranked in the top-10 and could be motivated to run back into it.

The Clear Falls girls are another squad looking to run their way back into the top-10. They had a good run last week at A&M and could be using motivation on Saturday.

Saturday will be a day of reckoning in 5A. With ranked squads like No. 2  Aledo, No. 4 Georgetown, No. 5 Boerne Champion, and No. 8 College Station A&M Consolidated, these squads will be looking to get a gage on one another.


Boys

Hudson Haley (Austin Vandegrift) - There is no beating around the bush, Hudson Haley has proven that he is the best runner in the state so far this season. He has either run faster than everyone or beaten everyone else. Despite not having a 5K time this year, he has the proof that the clock doesn't matter. His performances are 14:08, 14:34, and 14:35 .... enough said.

Benjamin Montgomery (Bridgeland) - Montgomery is fresh off his win at Texas A&M. He ran 15:29 on a true and a difficult 5K course. This weekend will be his first taste of serious competition and he should respond well to it.

Angel Sanchez (FW Diamond Hill-Jarvis) - Sanchez hasn't run much as he returns from a late track season injury. I doubt he'd be running this weekend if he wasn't ready to go. Any race he is in he makes it fun to watch.

Dylan Schieffelin (Austin Vandegrift) - Another of Vandegrift's studs is Schieffelin. He is just as potent to deal with as Haley. Expect him to be in the race at the end making a mad dash for a top finishing spot.

Andruw Villa (Abilene) - Villa has been traveling to find the best competition he could find and last week he hit big. His 14:58 for runner-up is tied for the second fastest 5K in the state. He's competed at Old Settler's before at the state meet, so expect him to drop a good run.

Renne Cooper (Austin Brentwood Christian Academy) - As with Villa, Cooper connected on his race at Lovejoy last week; he ran a 15:06 PR for a third place finish. If he can put together another second half race mad dash, look for him to be in contention.

Toby Eaton (Mansfield Legacy) - Eaton has been fast and consistent this season. His slowest run on the season is 15:12 and his fastest is 14:44 at Southlake. Eaton was 35th at the state meet last year and his confidence level could see him front running.

Anthony Morales (La Feria) and Armando Morales (La Feria) - The Morales brother can run and this is a trial run of what they hope is to come in November. They have 15:05 three mile runs on record and a 15:19. 

Henok Hagos (SA Jefferson) - Henok won the MileSplit TX XC Inv. two weeks ago and is back to get a litmus test. He has a good track record on this course with his fifth place finish last season at the UIL 5A state meet.


Sleepers to Lookout For

Henry Henze (Coppell) - Henze is having a great season. He was a DNF at Lovejoy last weekend, but this is the type of guy to come back motivated due to that.

Jackson Lovvorn (Corpus Christi King) - Lovvorn committed to the University of Houston and is now playing with house money and we should look out for him.

Hayden Scott (San Antonio Brandeis) - Scott ran a personal best time on a true 5K course just last weekend at 15:37 to win at the Islander Splash.

Nolan House (Georgetown) - House has gone 15:25 and 15:45 this season. He was 21st last year at state; 16:09 is his best time on this course and that should be blown away tomorrow.

Alexis Rodriguez (Edinburg North) - Rodriguez was runner-up to Scott last weekend at Islander Splash and is enjoying a very good season to this point. He was runner-up in the 5A race last year at McNeil and could be in the running for another top finish this season.


Teams

Austin Vandegrift is one of the best teams in the state and they seem to be getting better. They ran extremely well in California last year and should be the favorites tomorrow.

Waco Midway was undefeated until the Texas A&M meet last weekend, but they handled their most competitive race very well. This is their second test an I'm high on the Midway boys.

Round Rock handled the Lovejoy meet very well last weekend. The test will be how they follow that up tomorrow. They're on their home turf and could be inspired to really put it down.

Bridgeland won the Texas A&M Inv. by about 30 points and are a little disturbed they aren't ranked. They might have a point and they could be looking to drive it home this weekend.
 
Waxahachie - This squad is having a good season and they have some regional foes to match up with this weekend. The Indians have some of the best uniforms this season and they are wearing them well. 

La Feria - If you're wondering if La Feria is more than just the Morales twins, then you'll find out this weekend. They have a squad and they know this course from last November. Expect to see them mix it up well with the 5A and 6A teams.