Spring Providence Classical girls compete at the 2024 Texas A&M Invitation
- - -
2025 TAPPS 3A XC Preview
The TAPPS 3A XC Preview is unique in that for the last four seasons, Providence Classical has swept the team titles. The boys program, in fact, has won five consecutive team titles.
While sweeping in a single year is impressive - nonetheless difficult - sweeping for four consecutive seasons is downright dominant, and the scores prove this. Over the last four seasons, the Providence Paladins girl's squads have averaged 41.25 points per campaign while the boys have averaged an astounding 24.4 points.
So, how does the 2025 campaign look, and which schools are set up for the challenge to the top of the podium?
GIRLS
In 2024, the Providence girls literally outran almost the entire field to the finish line for a total of 18 points, a total unheard of in championship competition. They finished first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth. Almost a straight in poker, only Waco Live Oak Classical's Audrey Pahmiyer broke up their hand to capture third.
What makes this victory even more impressive - and yet more daunting for its opponents - is that Providence was led by two freshmen, Sarah Kleppel (12:15.55) and Savannah Ohmes (13:20.55.) Rounding out this fabulous five were Sara Bacheider, also a freshman, Kennedy Lynch, the lone senior amongst the group of seven, and Berkeley Scott, a rising senior in sixth place - 13:52.57.
Coach Trina Jones, Spring Providence Classical
Sprinting in at eighth place was Isabelle Eppers, and in 23rd place, Ivy Medders. Thus, in a field of 58, Providence placed all seven in the top 23. This will be a tough team to topple for the foreseeable future.
Capturing the second-place team trophy is perennial power Waco Live Oak Classical with an admirable 44 points. In addition to rising senior Pahmiyer's third-place finish, the Falcons return four rising sophomores Ashlyn Helton (10th - 14:20.15), Campbell Ogen (12th - 14:25.49), Sandhana Doolittle (17th - 14:54.94), and Caroline Hogue (34th - 17:06.61.)
The youth movement between Providence and Waco Live Oak should put the rest of 3A on notice - these two aren't going anywhere!
Fort Worth Covenant Classical captured third place in 2024 with a total of 88 points. While its top finisher, Nancy Jageman (14th) has graduated, the Cavaliers return Caroline Schroeder (15th), Gwenyth Elizaldi (24th), Phoebe Foster (32nd), and Addisyn Sturdivant (38th.)
Providence Classical Girls
BOYS
The Providence boy's squad was just as impressive as its counterpart, putting together a hand of 20 points, capturing first, second, third, fifth, and ninth. Its sixth and seventh place runners finished in 17th and 20th positions.
The journey to a sixth-consecutive team title is a little bit different this season, as Steven Wimberly (1st) and Henry Stevens (3rd) have both graduated, leaving the reigns to Kaeden Beno (2nd), Elijah Zuniga (5th), Carter Self (9th), Price Jenkins (17th), and Owen Eppers (20th.)
Forty-eight points behind was Waco Live Oak Classical, matching the 1-2 standings on the girl's side. What will make the 3A Boys matchup fascinating is that Live Oak returns its top 5: rising junior Zechariah Carl (4th - 18:22.87), rising senior Jayden Ogden (7th - 18:54.74), rising junior Duncan Ogden (16th - 19:53.85), and two rising sophomores, Roman Sykora (21st - 20:36.77) and Miller Jobson (22nd - 20:45.47.)
Rounding out the top three from 2024 is the Lydia Patterson Institute from El Paso with 97 points. Fernando Manriquez, who returns for his senior outing, is the Institute's highest returner at 10th place. Joining Manriquez is rising junior Gerardo Tellez (15th), rising senior Dario Figueroa (19th), rising senior Diego Murillo (23rd), and rising sophomore Dante Vazquez (37th.)
Providence Classical Boys