Region 2-2A
Girls Team Race Preview:
The Region 2-2A girls race will be top heavy with CCCAT ranked squads No. 1 Hamilton, No. 4 Muenster, No.9 Lipan heading to Grand Prairie.
In fact, last year's state champions Hamilton returns the majority of their lineup and third place podium finishers Muenster didn't graduate a single person from their state meet roster.
Lipan is running with some experience with a group of seniors yet with some reckless abandoned but simultaneously very talented freshmen.
Stamford has run well this year, which is evident by their 12:51 team average and the ability to produce a 1:25 split. You should be aware of the De Leon, Hico, and Nocona squads as well. Hico's state meet lineup didn't have one senior last year.
The race for the final qualifying positions was really good last year and this year could be a repeat.
Favorites: Hamilton, Muenster, Lipan, Stamford
Sleepers: De Leon, Hico, Nocona, Haskell
Girls Individual Race Preview:
Emma Walterscheid (Muenster) and Cameron Belcher (Windthorst) will provide the fireworks at the front of the race. They went 1 - 2 at last years regional meet with only three seconds separating them.
Belcher won regionals last year, but Walterscheid topped her at state by only two seconds as they finished third and fourth.
Belcher recently committed to the University of Houston, so she could be running carefree and confident after her 3200m track state title and 1600m runner-up finishes. Her 11:10 two mile performance leads the region.
None of last year's top five regional individual finishers graduated, so Jessica Otwell, Macy Bayer, and Presley Long all could be back and running for top placements.
Favorites: Cameron Belcher, Emma Walterscheid, Jessica Otwell, Macy Bayer, Presley Long, Schylar Anderson, Anna Pearcy
Sleepers: Chaska Downs, Kaitlyn Walton, Kate Lengefeld, Lainee Lefevre, Abbi Keeton
Boys Team Race Preview:
Region 2-2A has three ranked boys teams in No. 3 Wolfe City, No. 6 Hamilton, No. 7 Hawley.
Wolfe City won last year's regional race and possibly would have been on the podium at state. Hamilton, Poolville, and Hawley were the other teams to make it out with Hamilton getting on the podium and Hawley right behind them in fourth place.
Wolfe City has the best team average and with the reigning defending regional champ, that helps them out a lot, but the Hamilton boys aren't far behind them and their overall compression is better.
Favorites: Wolfe City, Hamilton, Hawley, Poolville
Sleepers: Nocona, Harts Bluff, Hico
Boys Individual Race Preview:
Oh, how simple of a task it is to know who the favorite is. Caden Thurman has won several state titles, but not one in cross country. Expect him to be very motivated to put together an awesome championship season to finally capture his first in cross.
Outside of Thurman seven others from last year's regional top-10 are back this year. That includes runner-up Francis Patanpatan and seventh place finisher Karl Patanpatan who both placed in the top-10 at the state meet.
Favorites: Caden Thurman, Francis Patanpatan, Karl Patanpatan
Sleepers: Jose Garcia, Eli Lang, Hollis Pearcy, Kolton Rodgers