Lucas Lovejoy is going through some more changes this year with their program.
The domination and consistency they've demonstrated over the past three to four years may not have easily noticeable, but there definitely have been moving pieces.
With every high school team, attrition has affected the program each of the past five seasons thanks to graduation hits. The effects just may not have been as evident for Lovejoy because of their sustained success.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Photo Credit: Christine Langford/MileSplit TX
Lovejoy has lost the team's best runner from the previous year each of the past two seasons. Yet, their new lead girl was one of Texas' best; that should continue for the third straight year.
In 2019 - 2022, it was Amy Morefield who then handed off to her sister Sara Morefield last year. Sara has now passed the mantle to Camryn Benson.
Can Benson continue to be the low-stick runner that Lovejoy has consistently had over the past five years?
Well, individually, she finished fourth overall at last year's cross country state meet and the only returner ahead of her is Elizabeth Leachman. The closest returning runner to Benson's state meet run was 17-seconds back.
Yes, Benson is legit. She ran a 17:31 personal best las year and had two other races under 18-minutes.
Photo Credit: Chance Kirby/MileSplit TX
On the track, Benson was just as formidable. We are accustomed to seeing distance runners compete in three individual events during track season. However, Benson did five.
She ran a 1:05 SB in the 400m a 2:21 PR in the 800m and also regularly competed in the pole vault where she won her district, was runner-up at area, and fourth at regionals.
Lovejoy's leading Lady Leopard this year also had a strong showing in the real distance events on the track. She ran a 4:59 PR in the 1,600m and later placed sixth at the state track meet. In the 3,200m, she ran 10:38 twice; once for her PR in March and then at state for a third place medal.
The UIL 5A girls cross country season will be had to decipher who will be top 10-girls. However, the top two are pretty much in black and white with Leachman and Benson.