Exciting would be an understatement of how the 2024 UIL Region 3 Championships in Huntsville, Texas panned out.
Course records were happening everywhere in each classification and from new faces who didn't even run any regular season meets.
See why Region 3 isn't just a region to overlook.
Individual standouts-
Cara Sims (Elysians Fields) took control from the start of the race in Huntsville, TX. Sims ran 11:23.49 to beat the old course record of 11:34.00 set by Christina Hernandez (Hudson)back in 2016. Coming into the state meet Sims is the heavy favorite for taking home the gold medal. Last year when she was running in the 3A classification she finished 9th and is looking to take the gold medal as a junior.
As said before its not often that we have runners in the state of Texas not have any meets to their name going into championship season. Well, freshman soccer super star Caroline Barrow (Katy Taylor) came into the xc scene at district where she ran ran her first ever high school cross country race clocking in a time of 17:54.51 to take second to Jamie Klander (Katy Mayde Creek). Coming into the regional meet, Barrow was one of the runners to look out for toeing the line. Klander and Barrow ran neck and neck all though out the race and later on with about 200 meters to go Barrow separated herself from Klander and ran the second fastest time recorded at Kate Barr Ross Park clocking 17:35.21 . Only freshman at Texas A&M Madison Peters (Pearland) graduate who ran 17:23.16 stands in Barrows way.
Grayson Williams (Troy) the outstanding middle distance track runner showcased his speed from quite literally the start of the gun. Williams took the race by the horns and shattered the old 3A boys course record running a time of 15:27.82 which is number 14 all time on the leader boards through all classifications. Chris Kopecky (East Bernard) who is now a freshman at UT Tyler had the record at 15:58.11 set last year. Going into the race Williams had been running against the time all regular season as state in his post race interview. Can Williams shock the state of Texas come state? Williams stated "Hoping to have a Josh Kerr & Jakob Ingebrigtsen situation come state time", so with that said folks grab your popcorn and glasses because 3A boys race is going to be a great race to witness.
Benjamin Pearce (Houston Stratford) who just committed to Rice University earlier this month found himself taking home the gold medal at regionals. At just a little over kilometer of the race no wanted to take the lead but that changed at 2k, Chris Creedon (LC Clear Creek), and Ryder Darcey (Katy) found themselves separated from the rest of the chase pack just behind another 10 meters. As the race was coming to a close Darcey and Pearce took it, but the Rice signee would end up winning by 15 seconds clocking in a time of 15:08.32 which is number two all time in both Stratford history and course history, just behind Texas legend Ryan Schoppe (La Porte).
Another Individual who has stepped into the conversation is sophomore Eli Mugambi (Humble Atascocita). We all know about what happen on the track last year with the Eagles but this year Mugambi is looking to add his name in the state medalist list just as Oliver Maldonado did back in 2022. Mugambi finished 3rd overall in the 6A boys while setting a new personal best time of 15:26.66.
Aiden Fitzgerald (Friendswood) one of the top returning 5A boys from last years state meet was under pressure throughout the race. From the gun Fitzgerald was leading but just behind him just past the first kilometer was a decently sized chase pack. Coming into the second kilometer it was the same story, mile two is where things started to change. Zachary Mangum (Georgetown) was hanging on to Fitzgerald but things took an unfortunate turn for Mangum. Closing the race coming out of the wooded part of the race, Mangum DNF the race and Fitzgerald took the gold medal winning by 20 seconds. In the process of his great time of 15:19.73 he ran, he'd set a new 5A boys course record and number 8 all time through all classifications.