Region 2-6A
Girls Team Race Preview:
Last year, Klein, The Woodlands, Klein Oak, and Bridgeland moved onto the state meet out of the region. It could be another reprise of those teams or a couple of them.
In the recent CCCAT rankings, The Woodlands is ranked No. 3, Klein No. 5, and Bridgeland No. 10. The Woodlands has a 18:45 team average and and Klein's is 18:51 this year. The two teams pretty much equal and the fifth runner will be the deciding factor of the regional champ.
Bridgeland and Klein Cain should be in position for the next two qualifying spots. They both have 19:26 team averages. Cain's number one runner Felicity Hamilton will get the team in a good position, but the Bridgeland's two through five runners can run tight, but the fifth runner position will be the key.
Tomball, Rockwall, and Klein Oak could make a push for the fourth spot.
Favorites: The Woodlands, Klein, Bridgeland, Klein Cain
Teams to Lookout For: Tomball, Rockall, Klein Oak
Girls Individual Race Preview:
Kathryn Koonts (Klein) and Staucie Lees (Conroe Grand Oaks) went 1 - 2 last year and they have the top two performances this season. Lees checks in at 17:34 and Koonts has a 17:47 SB. Felicity Hamilton (Klein Cain) has the third best time of 17:47.
The chase pack should be packed with a couple of runners. Stoya Laydevant (The Woodlands) has a 18:00 SB and Liliana Campos (Conroe Oak Ridge) has a 18:07 SB. There are five other girls with 18:25 season best runs.
Favorites: Staucie Lees, Kathryn Koonts, Felicity Hamilton, Stoya Laydevant, Liliana Campos
Sleepers: Meagan Meyers, Abigail Perez, Lily Fawcett, Saylor Stevenson
Boys Team Race Preview:
The No. 7 Bridgeland and No. 8 The Woodlands are the only ranked teams in the region. Throughout the year, Wylie and Waxahachie have made appearances in the rankings because of the solid year's they've had. However, it all boils down to this next race.
Bridgeland is having one of the best seasons in school history and the regional meet could be a catapult for the future. They are led by star Benjamin Montgomery with the the next five runners within 0.30 seconds.
In a way, you can say this group of Highlanders are still figuring things out, but they still produce The Woodlands running style - - tight and fast. They have a 15:50 team average and a 0.25 second split.
Wylie has the fastest average of the region at 15:48 and they can also run pretty tight with their 0.42 second split.
The regional title could come down to two things....How fast The Woodlands and Wylie runners make it and it will come down to the fifth runner. That is unless Bridgeland can keep pace and pack their runners ahead of the other team's number three runners.
The dynamics of this region is how good all of the teams are. College Park is just as good as anybody. They also can run tight. They went for a 0.23 second deviation at Nike South.
Who else has a legitimate shot at qualifying for state? Waxahachie is also having a great season. They were ranked and they have run a 15:56 team average in their first race of the year with a 0.46 second split.
Favorites: The Woodlands, Wylie, Bridgeland, Waxahachie, College Park
Teams to Watch For: Rockwall Heath, Tyler Legacy, Mansfield Legacy, Rockwall, Waco Midway
Boys Individual Race Preview:
Benjamin Montgomery and Toby Eaton (Mansfield Legacy) are two of the top runners in the state this year. Eaton's slowest race of the year is 15:45 with five runs under 15:18. Montgomery has some state chart toppers of his own on his resume as well and he is the top returner from last year's regional meet.
Manuel Vela (Cypress Springs) is the second best returner from last year's race. He has a 15:35 season best. Caden Biltz (Wylie) has a 15:26 run on the season and Graham Scott (Waxahachie) has a 15:32 on record this year.
Favorites: Benjamin Montgomery, Toby Eaton, Manuel Vela, Caden Biltz, Graham Scott
Sleepers: Camden Gibson, Evan Herrera, Jack Sterrett, Michael Peveto, Hunter Hendry