4A Girls
Davenport, La Feria and Fredericksburg are all quality teams, but it will be a big ask to get on the podium for a Region IV team this year. Last year, Fredericksburg took home runner-up honors, but they graduated their top two girls from that team. However, their current top runner, Rilyn Grona, appears ready to challenge for a State title. She won the Region in convincing fashion and was eighth at last year's State meet. Robstown sophomore Bianca Bosquez is one to watch after taking runner-up honors behind Grona and Canyon Lake's Eva Zabarcencu is rounding into form and could be set up for a big performance.
Davenport is a team that is solid up and down the lineup but if they want to move up from their fifth-place finish last year they will need a few season best performances. I really like the Fallon sisters, Kendall and Macie, and they might just lead the Wolves to a podium spot. La Feria is likely strong through their first three runners with Cierra Garcia, Mia Cerda and Ximena Garcia than Davenport, but they will need their next two runners to step up in a big way for a shot on the podium.
4A Boys
La Feria put on a brilliant show at the Region meet with only 41 points and they are ranked #2 in the State behind Canyon. Last year, La Feria finished second in the State to Canyon and were 49 points behind them. I think La Feria is primed for another top two finish with Anthony Morales, Armando Morales and Nathan Salinas leading the way. All three finished in the top 10 in the State last year. I don't know if it will be enough to take down a strong Canyon team though.
If Davenport's Elijah Bliss can do what he did at the Region meet which was split up the La Feria top three, then he can be there at the finish line competing for an individual State title. Another runner who has had a great season and could compete for a State title in the future is Floresville freshman Kaden Cypert. I don't know if he is ready to be in the lead group this year, but it should be great experience for him going forward.