Region 2-4A Girls
Trista Etheridge (Mabank) is back for her senior year after a very good junior campaign. She won the regional cross country title and then dropped a blazing fast 2:13 in the 800m on the track and taking third at the state meet.
She had a slow roll out to the season, but she ran 12:17 at McNeil and a 11:57 3,200m at district. She appears to be clicking now with regionals on Monday.
With much of the top ten regional finishers last year being seniors and runner-up Kathryn Tucker (Kaufman) moving up to 5A, that leaves a lot of blanks for the top spots.
Ava Samuel (Celina) was third last year, so expect her to be one vying not only for another top finish, but she can potentially win the regional title. The Junior has a 12:08 SB on the regional course.
Samuel's tandem teammate Tatum Cross helps Celina keep a position at the top of the team standings. She has a 12:10 PR from the McNeil Inv.
We have yet to see Mrs. do-it-all Kira Bowman (Nevada Community) this season. She was fourth last year at regionals and 25th at the state meet. She competes in nearly everything on the track from the 100m to the 3,200m and in the field events. Bowman might be focusing on the pole vault; she was runner-up at the state meet in the pole vault thanks to her 13-0 PR.
Henderson senior Giselle Alejandro appears to be a threat once again. She was fifth last year and has already run 11:42 in the two-mile and 12:03 in the 3,200m at her district meet.
I'd consider Edith Martinez (Sulphur Springs) a serious challenger. Martinez was ninth last year in 12:17 and has already PRed at 12:15.
Sanger new comer Niki Boone is also one to watch. The freshman ran 12:05 on this course back in September.
With Kaufman now up a classification in 5A, who is going to challenge Celina for the top spot?
The Bobcats were second at last year's regional championships behind Kaufman and they only graduated Aimee Clarke.
Lindale was third last year, but they graduated three runners including No. 1 Addalyn Kobs.
With the exception of one senior, Godley had all freshmen and sophomores. They're older this season and still have No. 1 runner Stephanie Favela who will be a top runner in the region once again; she was 10th last year.
The Sanger program was infused with some young talent and they are good. Not only do they have freshman Boone, but another frosh Tatum Cochran has run 12:26. Add her to Boone, Gracie Grahl (12:16) Ashton Grahl (12:33) Farah Hughey (12:52) and you have the team that has a 12:27 team average and only a 47-second gap.
Pittsburg and Mabank could also be in the mix.
Region 2-4A Boys
Who it the top runner in Region 2-4A?
Last year's region winner and state champion, Angel Sanchez is gone; he is at Oklahoma State University. Runner-up Bryce Denton (Anna) is gone; he will be in the 5A race as Anna moved up. Third place finisher from last year Kenny Bibb graduated and he is gone. Canton's Miguel Arce also graduated, so he is also gone.
That leaves last year's fifth place finisher Kevin Velazquez (Canton) as the top returner. The senior ran 17:18 (in the rain) and then ran 16:29 at state for a 24th place finish.
Velazquez will have his fair share of hungry and talented guys who are also looking for not only top finishes, but I think they're all eyeing the individual regional crown.
Here are a couple of guys who should be pushing for the win on Monday.
Daniel Martinez (Sanger)- 16:13 on the regional course in September at Region II Preview
Isaiah Colorado (Van) - 16:14 at Ken Gaston on this course
Sam Musgrave (Sanger) - 16:45 at McNeil
Trey Scroggins (Longview Pine Tree) - 16:33 at Chile Pepper and 16:36 at Lovejoy
Xander Owen (Pittsburg) - 16:38 at Lovejoy
Isaiah Martinez (Longview Pine Tree) - 16:30 at Chile Pepper and 16:37 at Lovejoy
With the regional champions Anna in the 5A race, the void is ready to be filled....but by who?
There are three ranked teams in this region, but they weren't in it last season. The CCCAT No. 3 ranked Longview Pine Tree comes down from 5A, and No. 7 Sanger and No. 8 Gainesville enter from Region 1
Waxahachie Life was the runner-ups in 2023, but they did graduate their No. 1 runner John Hawkins and No. 4 runner and last year's No. 2 guys hasn't run yet this season. Their No. 6/7 runner has the fastest time of the season on the team.
That usually isn't a formula for success, but there is still a chance for Life to be competitive.
Gainesville is a team that can run tight. Rigsby leads the team, but he has reinforcements that aren't far behind.
As mentioned, Sanger has Martinez and Musgrave leading the way up front, but their No. 3-7 runners are all under 17:00 and 3-5 can come in within 10 seconds of one another.
Pine Tree also has a fairly tight pack. They can run as low as a minute spread. Scroggins and Martinez are the front runners and Adam Venegas as the No. 3 isn't far back, but the 4, 5, and 6 can run from five to ten seconds within one another and under 17-minutes.