Region 1-5A
Girls Team Race Preview
Two of the top two teams in the state are in Region 1-5A in No. 2 ranked Aledo and No. 3 ranked Colleyville Heritage. These two squads could very well end up on the podium in Round Rock.
The Aledo girls put the state on notice in the early goings of the season and haven't faltered much. Led by TAPPS transfer-in Madison Larsen, they have three girls who can run mid eighteen-minutes and faster with Micah Neal and Molly Garrison.
Colleyville Heritage is running without the Love sisters this year, but that hasn't stopped them. They have two eighteen-minute girls in Josie Osbourne and Natali Velasquez and appear to be headed back to Round Rock.
The other teams to watch will be Grapevine, Amarillo, and Lubbock Monterey. The Sandies have the ever-so-important leader in Kylee Costley, but their strength is in their capability to bring the rest of the scorers across the finish line all at once. If they can do that early on in the race they should secure a state qualifying position.
Favorites: Aledo, Colleyville Heritage, Grapevine, Amarillo
Sleepers: Midlothian, Argyle, Lubbock
Girls Individual Race Preview
Larson is still in her first UIL season, but there should be very little that matters because she is legit. Look for her to lead the beginning of this race and control how it goes. Her two teammates Neal and Garrison should also be front runners and they could actually go 1, 2, 3.
Figure Burleson Centennial junior Ella Magallan to be a factor. She is enjoying a good season and has run several eighteen-minute races as has Lincoln Husbands from Midlothian. The duo from Midlothian Heritage of Evanna Jacobsen and Jenna Jacobsen have also been impressive this year.
Who can't be overlooked are the several state meet qualifiers from previous years in the race who may still be front pack runners, but not necessarily in contention for the win. That will make the individual race even more intriguing.
Favorites: Madison Larsen, Micah Neal, Molly Garrison, Ella Magallan, Lincoln Husbands, Evanna Jacobsen, Jenna Jacobsen
Sleepers: Zanashia Harris, Reese Pena, Bailey Springer,
Boys Team Race Preview
The No. 8 Colleyville Heritage boys have been one of the season's delights in 5A. They've got some big time runners who lead the way up front, but their three, four, and five runners keep it tight. That is what makes them so tough. At the district meet their entire compression was only 1:03.
Argyle is eerily similar to Heritage. In fact, they are so much alike that they tied at the district meet. Fort Worth Arlington Heights is a team who can continue the tight pack running. Arlington Heights can keep their two through five runners within 45 seconds of one another.
Perhaps the teams to keep watch out for will be coming from El Paso. With Burges, Chapin, and No. 10 El Paso High all coming off their District 1-5A race, they'll continue their competition in Lubbock, but it'll be for the most important race of the year.
The No. 5 ranked Abilene boys might just be the favorites. They have a low stick runner and their two, three, and four runners are almost within ten seconds of one another.
Favorites: Colleyville Heritage, Abilene, El Paso, Argyle
Sleepers: Aledo, Grapevine, Cleburne, Burleson Centennial
Boys Individual Race Preview:
This should be a great race to view. It's got some guys who has been a top runners for years in Tyler Westrom and Andruw Villa. These two are no strangers to running fast. Brett Jacobs and Miles Westbrook also have a couple of solid runs this season.
However, the runner to beat will be Ethan Gonzalez from North Richland Hills. Gonzalez has come alive this year; he has the fastest time in the state with his 14:44 a 15:08, and several sub 15:30s this year.
Favorites: Ethan Gonzalez, Andruw Villa, Tyler Westrom, Miles Westbrook
Sleepers: Jack Fink, Miguel Sanchez, Samuel Alexander, Brian Woolums