The qualifying season for most of the UIL 6A teams arrives next week. We'll begin to see athletes and teams take their steps towards becoming the 2024 UIL Track and Field State Champions.
We ran a data list on who the top teams were so far this season based on season bests. Our system automatically scores meets with a universal top eight scoring system that most states use.
You can see that below where it will show Humble Summer Creek and Flower Mound as the top two point scoring teams based on the season rankings to date.
A bit behind them is Shadow Creek followed by the reigning and defending state champions Duncanville, Region 4 powerhouse San Antonio Reagan, and last year's state meet team runner-ups Klein Forest.
However, when you score the rankings using the UIL scoring system the picture changes ever-so-slightly (you can see on page two).
Humble Summer Creek continues to lead with an even higher point total. Flower Mound still looks to give a challenge for the state title, but they're a little behind in the score. Duncanville's score brings them up to making the podium with Klein Forest tied with shadow Creek for the fourth highest point toal and San Antonio Reagan back in sixth.
These scores could all be pointless beginning next week as we will know who makes it out of district. We could continue to be in the dark with who will have what kind of fire power heading into Austin in May until April 20th.
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Here's what you should keep an eye out for:
Will Summer Creek continue their strong season? Do they get all three relays out and do they get support in the sprints and field events? Brooke Lloyd is blossoming into one the the top sprinters in the country. She should score big in the 400m, but we'll she if she needs to get 200m points as well. Piecing points from the hurdle and field events will put them in a better position if they can get that done.
What will Flower Mound do? Will they run the Humphries twins in two events a piece or go for the gusto again and triple? Unforeseen weather situations last year played a part in their plan and final score, so we'll see if they play it nice and easy or give it one more shot before the twins graduate.
We also look to see if they can sweep the distance qualifying positions out of Region 1-6A. It's one of the toughest things to do, but we've seen them do it before when junior Alexandra Fox was just a freshman.
How much will Klein Forest get out of Region 2-6A. They were lights out in the 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay last year. And they look to be on a faster pace than last year at this time. If they can sneak a 4x400 relay out, their landscape changes immensely. Avia Jones is a star and should score in both individual sprint events despite the tough region she is in. Madison Evans is a potential scorer in the 400m, but like last year, that is easier said than done. Although individual sprint qualifiers out of this region could sweep the state meet podium, Janiyah McDonald might be able to get in position to get out and score individual points in Austin. If so, they're on the podium again.
Can Shadow Creek get all three relays out? They weren't able to navigate the entire qualifying season last year, but this could be different. They will need them all to have a chance to win or podium at all. That will probably cost them any kind of a shot at 400m points, but this year is going to be tough for anyone to score in that event. Tiffany Mugubi and anyone else who can scrape up as many points as possible for the Lady Sharks.
Then there is Duncanville, we saw them win it overall with their big point scores from all three relay performances last year. They're in position to do it again in 2024, but that could require them forgo some individual performance for the greater good of the team again. Both the Lady Panthers and Lady Eagles will have to gird their loins to do battle against one another in Waco to see what shape they're left in when they get to Austin and get to do it again with the Creeks from Region 3.
