TAPPS Championships Recap: Girls 1600m

Hannah Murphy of Texoma Christian School delivered a dominating double to win the 2025 TAPPS 1A Girls 1600m championship, adding to her runner-up finish in the 800m earlier in the meet. The sophomore controlled the pace from the outset and pulled away late to secure the title in 5:46.87, giving her redemption after finishing second in last year's 1600m (5:29.89) behind Coram Deo's Rylan Lonergan. While her winning time this year was slower than in 2024, Murphy's ability to double back after a strong 2:28.90 in the 800m speaks volumes about her toughness and consistency.

The battle for second place in the 1600m came down to three runners who were also doubling back from the earlier 800m. Catalina Flores (Waxahachie Prep), just a freshman, placed second in 6:02.29, holding off Ashley Anderson (Angleton Christian) at 6:02.76, and Kaylee Wolff (Faith Lutheran) at 6:02.83 in a thrilling three-way finish. All three had finished between 4th and 6th in the 800m earlier in the day, with Anderson's 2:45.97 and Wolff's 2:44.61 showing solid range. Flores, who also took 5th in the 800m, capped a breakout day for the Waxahachie Prep freshman.

Paige Hildebrand (Baytown Christian Academy), another 800m finalist, placed sixth in the 1600m at 6:33.63, down from her 6th-place finish and 6:06.18 time in 2024, suggesting she may have been affected by doubling or race conditions.

Last year's top names, including champion Rylan Lonergan and Azle Christian's Hallie Collins, were not in the 1600m final this time, but Collins did take third in this year's 800m (2:37.82). With Murphy continuing to build a strong resume at both distances and multiple underclassmen emerging across the field, the 1A distance scene looks deep and competitive heading into 2026.

The 2025 TAPPS 2A Girls 1600m Championship showcased a mix of rising young talents and seasoned veterans in a tightly contested race that capped off a full day of distance racing. Keely Aguilar, a sophomore from Dallas Alcuin School, delivered a commanding performance to win the title in 5:21.63, pulling away in the latter stages to avenge her runner-up finish in last year's final. Aguilar's win marked a successful double, as she had earlier placed second in the 800m with a strong 2:23.94, confirming her status as one of the state's top all-around middle-distance runners in TAPPS 2A.

Just behind her, Emma Rhodes of Red Oak Ovilla Christian closed out her high school career with a gritty second-place finish in 5:27.52. The senior, who also took third in the 800m (2:27.47), has been a mainstay at the front of TAPPS distance races and leaves behind a legacy of consistency and competitiveness. Her performance was a near repeat of her bronze medal from 2024 and shows her growth across both events.

Maggie McDonald and Sadie Wood of Lubbock Southcrest Christian School formed a strong tandem in the final, finishing third and fourth respectively. McDonald clocked 5:42.46, improving on her fourth-place finish from 2024, while Wood followed closely in 5:55.50, not long after placing fifth in the 800m (2:33.96). The two played crucial roles in their team's distance scoring and showed excellent endurance through the double.

Reagan Provin of Bryan St. Joseph Catholic capped off a busy day by placing fifth in 5:56.44, building on her eighth-place finish in the 800m earlier. For runners like Provin and Wood, the physical challenge of running both events back-to-back underscored their mental toughness and season-long preparation.

The 1600m in 2025 also saw several new faces emerge, including Alezandra Sanders of Chinquapin Prep and Elizabeth Dunman of Bracken Christian, both freshmen who gained valuable experience in their first state final. But at the front, it was a story of redemption and dominance for Aguilar, who now adds a state title to her resume and stands poised for even greater achievements in the years ahead.

Providence Classical's Sarah Kleppel delivered a breakout performance at the 2025 TAPPS 3A Girls 1600m Championship, powering her way to the state title with a time of 5:39.53. The freshman was one of three ninth graders in the field, but she raced with poise beyond her years. Kleppel took control late in the race to pull away from the field and completed a demanding mid-distance double-having earlier placed fourth in the 800m in 2:32.76. Her ability to return strong in the 1600m only a short while later cemented her as one of the most promising young talents in 3A distance running.

Joining Kleppel on the podium was Freja Rembold of Lucas Christian, who earned silver in 5:44.15. The junior improved on her fifth-place finish from 2024 (5:58.39), showcasing clear development and experience. Just behind her in third was another freshman from Providence Classical, Savannah Ohmes, who clocked a 5:53.19 to complete a 1-3 finish for her team-highlighting the school's exceptional young distance group.

Waco Live Oak Classical's Miriam Carl, the lone senior among the top four, placed fourth in 5:58.65, just ahead of a strong trio from Covenant Classical. Seniors Nancy Jageman (6:01.70) and Sachi Monwai (6:05.94), along with junior Sawyer Espanet (6:02.81), kept Covenant in the team mix with a solid pack performance. Though none made the podium, their depth was noteworthy, especially considering Covenant's entries in both the 800m and 1600m. However, it was Providence Classical who stood out, with three girls finishing top-five across both events, including Isabelle Eppers, who won the 800m in 2:27.69.

Waco Live Oak Classical's Noelle Miller rounded out the race in 6:27.24, while her teammate Audrey Pahmiyer, who had earlier run the 800m in 2:41.03, helped represent a well-rounded team effort across both distance races. The 2025 final was missing last year's winner, Landry Perkins of Weatherford, but the new generation of distance runners clearly announced their arrival, with Kleppel and Ohmes leading a resurgence for Providence Classical that looks poised to dominate in the years to come.

St. Francis Episcopal freshman Hanna Barbouti capped off a brilliant debut season with a convincing win in the 2025 TAPPS 4A Girls 1600m Championship, crossing the line in 5:34.21 to earn her second gold medal of the day. Earlier, Barbouti dominated the 800 meters with a 2:23.29 performance, and her ability to return later in the day to claim the 1600m title speaks volumes about her endurance and poise under pressure. Already a double state champion, she's established herself as one of the top young distance talents in TAPPS.

Colleyville Covenant Christian's Sophie Smith, a junior, earned runner-up honors with a time of 5:46.14, holding off a tight group of contenders that included Molly McCabe of Tyler TK Gorman (5:47.36) and Savannah Parker of San Antonio Christian School at Castle Hills (5:47.58). All three showed remarkable stamina, as both McCabe and Parker also returned from top-five finishes in the 800 earlier in the meet. McCabe was third in the 800 with a 2:31.10, and Parker finished just behind her in 2:34.09, demonstrating impressive consistency over both distances.

The top five in the 1600m were rounded out by another freshman, Courtney Clinkinbeard from Fort Worth Temple Christian, who ran 6:01.25. She was one of several young talents in the field, signaling a promising future for the classification. 

Rounding out the results were Hannah Van Eerden of Plano Coram Deo Academy in sixth (6:03.27) and Sophie Hornback of Houston Northland Christian in seventh (6:06.90), both putting up respectable times in a field largely filled with underclassmen.

Compared to 2024, when the top times were in the 5:23-5:25 range, the 2025 race was a touch slower but packed with emerging talent. With Barbouti only a freshman and several others returning next year, the 4A girls' distance events are in excellent hands heading into 2026.

Emma Goetz of Tyler Grace Community defended her 1600-meter title in dominant fashion at the 2025 TAPPS 5A Girls Championships, stopping the clock at 5:11.92 to narrowly outpace a strong field. The sophomore star, who also placed sixth in the 800 meters earlier in the meet with a time of 2:26.16, showed her signature negative split style and grit over the final lap to hold off a charging Sophia Belcher of Grapevine Faith Christian. Goetz's time was nearly identical to her 2024 winning mark of 5:11.75, confirming her consistency and status as one of TAPPS' top mid-distance runners.

Belcher, just a sophomore as well, had an impressive day in her own right. She not only finished second in the 1600 with a time of 5:14.25, but earlier in the day, she captured the 800-meter title in 2:19.36, establishing herself as a force across both events. Her strong double under the warm conditions showcased her strength and speed, and she figures to be one of the top returners in 2026.

In third place was Harper Counts of Austin Brentwood Christian, who ran 5:17.36 to edge out freshman Emily Kacher of Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy, who clocked 5:29.88 in her first state meet appearance. Rounding out the top five were veterans Elaina Formica of The Woodlands Christian (5:34.04) and Madeline Hellen of Spring Frassati Catholic (5:35.92), both returning state finalists from 2024. Hellen notably placed third in last year's race with a similar time, while Formica repeated as a top-six finisher.

Mallory West of Midland Christian, another double-event participant, placed seventh in 5:47.42 after also running in the 800 (2:35.85). Legacy Prep's Sarah Haglin rounded out the field in eighth with a respectable 5:54.10.

Compared to 2024, this year's race saw slightly slower winning times across the board, but the emergence of young stars like Goetz, Belcher, and Kacher bodes well for the future of TAPPS 5A distance running. With Goetz and Belcher leading the charge and plenty of depth behind them, 2026 is already shaping up to be another exciting year.

Madeleine Holland of Liberty Christian closed out her TAPPS career in dominant fashion, winning the 2025 TAPPS 6A Girls 1600m title in a personal-best time of 5:04.77. The senior, who had earlier placed third in the 800m (2:19.46), controlled the race from the front half and held off surging challengers in the final lap to earn her first 1600m state title after several years of contending near the top of the TAPPS distance ranks.

Right on her heels was Presley Andras of Dallas Ursuline Academy, who ran a superb double of her own. Andras placed second in both the 800m (2:14.90) and the 1600m (5:06.89), improving significantly from her fourth-place finish in last year's 1600. She displayed great tactical poise in both races and looks to be the early favorite for the 2026 title as a senior.

Just behind her, Georgia Giesinger of Fort Worth Nolan Catholic turned in another elite-level effort. The sophomore, last year's 1600m runner-up, crossed the line in 5:07.06 for third place. She also placed sixth in the 800m (2:23.56), showing off her range and endurance. With two more years remaining, Giesinger remains one of the top young talents in Texas private school distance running.

Rounding out the top half of the field were Abby Spiars of Plano John Paul II in fourth (5:20.56), improving from her sixth-place finish last season, and Sophie Da Silva of Houston St. Agnes, who came home fifth in 5:25.77. Da Silva also posted a strong 800m effort earlier in the day, taking fifth in 2:21.62. Her younger sister Roselynne Da Silva of Houston St. Agnes, just a freshman, also completed the 800m/1600m double, finishing sixth in both (2:28.63 and 5:39.79 respectively), marking a promising debut on the state stage.

This year's race marked a significant jump in performance compared to 2024, with the top three runners all finishing ahead of last year's winning time. With stars like Andras and Giesinger returning, and newcomers like Roselynne Da Silva entering the fold, TAPPS 6A distance running appears primed for another exciting chapter in 2026.