The Southlake Carroll boys take charge at the 2023 Nike South Invitational
When you look at the landscape of Texas cross-country over the last decade or so, one thing that's continually remained the same is the presence of Dallas-based boys teams fighting for state titles. Whether it be the Dragons of Southlake Carroll or the Jaguars of Flower Mound, Dallas has been the home of some of the best boys teams and individuals we've seen in recent memory.
This story remains the same this year as Dallas remains at the center of the race for the state championship crown with a mixture of consistently great teams and new squads who've started to make names for themselves. So, let's take a look at some of the top-ranked Dallas-based boys teams.
1. Southlake Carroll
At this point it should be no surprise who sits at the number one spot on this ranking as the Southlake Carroll boys have produced yet another dominant season. While their dominance this season may have been seen as relatively predictable, that doesn't make what the Dragons have done this season any less impressive. The Dragons have thoroughly dominated their in-state competition once again and are the clear favorite to retain their state title in November.
Southlake Carroll started their season off with a strong performance over a three-mile course at their home meet, the Southlake #1 XC Invite where they averaged 14:45 with just a twenty-two-second split for a dominant win. Carroll then made the long trip out west to Irvine, California where they competed in one of the nation's best meets, that being the 42nd Annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic. The Dragons ultimately came up short of the victory, placing second behind the number one team in the country Herriman (UT).
Within the state of Texas, however, Carroll has remained undefeated and they've most recently showcased their dominance at the Nike South Invitational where they ran away with the individual and team title against a formidable field of ranked competition. The Dragons put five runners in the top ten and produced a 15:25 average with a thirty-two-second split on their way to scoring just twenty-seven points.
The individual leaders that have kept Carroll out in front has been the strong duo of Caden Leonard and Jude Alvarez who've continued to win and be at the front of every race. Leonard took the individual victory in the team's most recent appearance at Nike South but both have been outstanding for the Dragons. Additionally, the likes of Zach Troutman, Blake Bullard, Alex Severson, and Griffin Cords have all been integral parts of Carroll's dominance.
At the moment Carroll appears to have the 6A state title secured as they've produced yet another thoroughly dominant season with minimal competition within the state. Carroll's focus is likely more geared towards national meets at this time and look out for them on that front as they'll likely be the top representatives for Texas at the national level.
2. Lucas Lovejoy
For the next entry on our list, we head to the 5A division where Lucas Lovejoy have represented the Dallas area strongly through what's been a thorough domination of their divisional competition. Ranked as the top team in 5A, Lovejoy has had an incredible season as they've proved to be consistent and dominant on some big stages. Lovejoy has always been a great program however this year marks their best yet.
Lovejoy opened up the year at the Southlake #1 XC Invite where they had an underwhelming performance compared to their high expectations as they placed only fifth. However, we quickly found that this wasn't a true measure of just how good this team is as their defining performance came at their home meet. Hosting one of the biggest meets in Texas isn't an enviable task however Lovejoy was more than impressive. The Leopards placed second in a strong field of multi-state competition, notably finishing ahead of four top-ten-ranked 6A teams.
Within their division there doesn't seem to be a formidable challenger to Lovejoy as much like their 6A counterparts Southlake Carroll, they look to be the runaway favorite to win the state championship. With a team average of 15:44 and and an incredible split of just thirty-four seconds the Leopards are the class of 5A and look like a potential contender to qualify for a national meet.
This year the Leopards have been led by a strong trio of Caden Gary, Nick Yarad, and Joseph Reid who've consistently been in the 15:30s and keeping Lovejoy at the front of every race they've been in. Gary has been the consistent number one so far however the proximity in which the three of them run together gives Lovejoy a very reliable group.
For now, Lovejoy looks to be the class of the 5A division as no other team has been able to perform near the level that the Leopards have to this point. From here the season for Lovejoy becomes about ensuring they secure the 5A title and looking ahead to competing for a potential national meet qualification.
3. McKinney Boyd
Coming into the season unranked, McKinney Boyd felt like they had a lot to prove. With a talented team and a lot of potential, this team has more than proven they deserved to be ranked as they've been one of the most pleasantly surprising teams in the state. Boyd has been battling for every result they've had and it's rewarded them with victories over some of the best teams in the 6A division.
Boyd started their fairy tale season off like many talented Dallas-based teams at the Southlake #1 XC Invite where they knew they'd face a talented and deep field. Saying they knocked it out of the park would've been an understatement as the unranked Boyd boys placed second ahead of at the time the #1 ranked 5A team, and 4 ranked 6A teams. After this performance, Boyd took their place in the rankings and hasn't left them since.
Most recently, Boyd competed at the Jesuit XC Classic where they had a strong showing and picked up another impressive victory to add to their impressive season. Boyd ended the meet with a 15:52 team average and a fifty second split which added to an impressive trend of running fast and close to one another.
McKinney Boyd has been led by two top individuals in the form of Caleb Millard and Joaquin De La Cruz who've both won races and consistently dipped into the 15:20s and below. In addition to these two Luke Woodward, Kamron Jeffery, and Gavin Brown have provided strong depth for this impressive team.
Despite their success, Boyd will have a tougher road to the state meet than most given the makeup of their region. Region I looks to be as competitive as ever this year as six teams currently hold team averages under 16:00 with an additional two teams holding averages under 16:05.
While their road isn't enviable by any stretch of the imagination, if Millard and De La Cruz continue to run well near the front Boyd is likely positioned well enough to qualify for the state meet where they can then potentially compete for the podium.
4. Coppell
Similar to many of the other Dallas-based teams on this list, Coppell is a team who've been good for a long time and have continued that trend this year. Coppell came into the season ranked and have stayed there the entire year as although they haven't necessarily been remarkable, the Cowboys have been consistently solid and that's all they've needed so far.
Coppell started their season early compared to other ranked teams as they debuted at the Waxahachie Woodhouse Invitational on August 19th where they beat out Waxahachie by six points in a close race. As with other top Dallas teams, Coppell headed to the Southlake #1 XC Invite where they placed sixth amongst a field of some of the best teams in the state.
Coppell have continued their consistency throughout their recent appearances as they placed third at the Marcus Coach T Invitational, third at the HOKA McNeil Invite, and second at the Jesuit XC Classic. Although Coppell may not have many wins on the season, their consistent exposure to some of the best competition in the state will serve them well heading into the championship season as they've already gotten a look at what are likely to be some of their closest competitors.
Coppell have been led by one of the closest duos in the state in the form of Samarth Dubey and Henry Henze who've been neck and neck the entire season. However, Coppell's strongest attribute is their ability to run together as they consistently produce thirty to forty second splits that make them very tough to beat in close races.
As with McKinney Boyd, Coppell's road to the state meet is by no means set in stone as they must traverse the gauntlet that is Region I. It'll be crucial to Coppell's success for Dubey and Henze to run as close to the front as possible as the volume of talent coming out of Region I means that if a team wants a chance to make it out they'll need at least one runner if not two up in the top twenty.
Coppell's success will largely be contingent on this factor, however, if their consistency has taught us anything it's that the Cowboys are reliable and know how to produce in the big moments.
5. Wylie
Taking the final spot on our list but the first team not in Region I is Wylie who've rebounded this year with another potential state qualifying team. Wylie came into the season ranked in the top ten and although they've been in and out of the rankings as the season has gone on, they remain a team to watch and a team with a lot of potential to find success this championship season.
As with every other team on this list, Wylie started their season off at the Southlake #1 XC Invite where they placed fourth in a giant field full of some of the top-ranked teams in the state. From here Wylie then competed at the McKinney Boyd Bronco Stampede and the Texas A&M Invitational, placing second and fourth at each respectively.
Wylie has had a solid season up to this point however they feel like a team that has a lot of potential that they haven't quite reached which makes them a dangerous team. When you look at their schedule they've faced a lot of good competition and have fared pretty well considering how taxing it is to face so many good teams throughout the season. While Wylie may have struggled to find wins throughout their schedule, this team still has a lot of potential to realize this championship season.
As for Wylie's individuals, Caden Biltz has been this team's go-to guy this year as he's produced in the 15:20s and 15:30s when he's been at his best. However, Wylie also boasts a talented supporting cast as Zachary Brumfield, Remay Abraha, and Nathan Moore have all dipped under the 16:00 mark this year, something other teams in their region can't say they've done.
As opposed to the other Dallas-based schools Wylie has a much easier path to the state meet as Region II is nowhere near as competitive as Region I. Wylie looked good at their district meet and if they can continue that form heading into the regional meets, they should find themselves back on the line at the state meet.