Region 2-6A Girls
This region saw a bunch of girls drop time before regionals like a wrestler drops weight before a match.
There were several 17-mid to high races dropped last weekend. That should make for a barn burner race on Monday.
Here is what we know for sure -- Stoya Laydevant (The Woodlands) is the the top returner from 2023. Laydevant placed third last year and finished in 17:59. She ran that same time to win UIL 6A - District 13 last week.
The second best returner is also from The Woodlands in Naomi Weller. The sophomore ran a 18:20, which is 16-seconds faster than her regional race last year.
Alexis Garza (Tomball Memorial) is the third best returner from the 2023 regional race. She ran 17:33 at the UIL 6A - District 15 meet, which is a 30-second improvement.
Marian Mann (Klein), Sophia Phillip (Magnolia), Reese Bartos (Waxahachie), and Lydia Butler (Klein Oak) all ran their first 17-minute race last week.
Three girls I really believe will have heavy impacts beyond the group above are Rowan Saacke (Bridgeland), Taryn Bailey (DeSoto), and Lily Fawcett (Bridgeland).
Saacke was the runner-up last year in Region 3 and already had several sub 18-minute runs before this season. Her teammate and Colorado State commit Fawcett is the fourth best returner from last year's regional championship. Bailey enters with a 18:00 PR. The 2:10 half-miler started with a 20:20 this season.
At No. 3 Bridgeland and No. 4 The Woodlands head to Grand Prairie as the region's only ranked teams. The Highlanders won the region last year and was third at the state meet; the Bears were third in 2023.
Bridgeland can run averages in the 18s, which most teams in the region won't be able to do, but their 1:23 spread could keep them from winning.
The Woodlands can match Bridgeland through two runners, but this will come down to the Number three and four runners.
Klein was second last year and graduated three girls including No. 1 Kathryn Koonts. However, they've rallied the troops and ran a 18:27 team average at district and that would put them in a good position for the podium at state if they get back.
Magnolia and Klein Oak ran well extremely well at district. Magnolia ran a 19:03 team average and Klein Oak went 19:33.
Region 2-6A Boys
This was a wild ride last year and Monday could be even wilder.
Benjamin Montgomery (Bridgeland) won the regional crown last year and was third at the state meet. Tyler Hedgepeth (The Woodlands) is the second best returner as he finished sixth, Camden Gibson (College Park) was seventh, and Joshua Odums (Mansfield Legacy) was eighth.
These guys should all be impactful in Monday's race.
There were some big district races from the boys just like there were from the girls. Waxahachie had some big runs from their guys who have been waiting for this time of year. Their top three guys Graham Scott (14:51), Cooper Grady (14:56), and Lucas Whitt (15:16) were really good.
Dylan Yarbrough (Klein Collins) also ran well with a 15:12. It was 2023 all-state runner Camden Gibson (College Park) who finally got going and he dropped a 15:17. Evan Herrera (Rockwall Heath) is having a great follow up to a good junior season. He has 15:14 and 15:43 best runs this year.
Then there is Griffen Saacke (Bridgeland). He is new to the region; he was 25th at state last year and was a 3,200m finalist on the track.
Individually, it will be a good race; however, it's the team race that just might be the best race of the weekend in Region 2.
Bridgeland is ranked No. 3 in the state, The Woodlands is No. 4, and College Park is No. 7.
The Bears won the region last year and returned their entire lineup. While they have only raced three times prior to district, they were all on not-so-easy courses.
With Montgomery and Saacke, they have one of the best 1-2 duos in the region. Furthermore, Kyle Pawlak has turned into an outstanding runner and goes sub 16:00. Their 4, 5, 6 runners could make or break it for the Bears. They are very tight and can come through within seconds of one another. Can they beat their counterparts on other teams?
The Woodlands team is rounding into good form. They have Hedgepeth running well and Elton Martin is a bad young man! Their 3, 4, 5 runners are all under 16:00 and they can execute a near 30-second spread.
College Park is trying to get back to state and they've run all season without their leader, Gibson. However, they've held it together and with him back in the fold they also have an entire group of five scorers under 16:00 and an under 50-second gap.
Waxahachie missed the state meet last year, but they've run well this year. I don't want to say they've been holding back, but they've been holding it together for this time to be at their best. They didn't have a good regional race last year and this has been their motivation all season long.
With Scott and Grady dipping under 15:00, their 3, 4, 5 were under 15:45. Can they replicate this on Monday and stay tight?
I can see Klein Oak or Wylie taking advantage of any teams not having their A-game. Klein Oak had eye-popping numbers at their district and they tackled a tough Chile Pepper course very well.
Wylie is always in the Mix. Zachary Brumfield will lead the Pirates and their 2-6 runners are tight enough to take advantage of opportunities if they arise.