Elton Martin is the leader of The Woodlands
We finally get to see the state's best teams go head-to-head with the stakes of keeping their seasons on the line. This year has seen continued continuity with the top teams at the front continuing to push the boundary of what's considered elite. Outside of the top teams, we've also seen several previously underrated teams surge into the competitive conversation, with some looking like they have a legitimate shot at making some noise at the state meet if they can qualify.
While the results of regional races can be difficult to predict due to the often narrow margins that separate teams from comfortable qualification to the end of their season, it's also one of the most enjoyable and intriguing aspects of the year. Last year, we went 13/16 when predicting state meet qualifiers in the 6A division, with all four winners picked correctly.
As with every year, there's plenty of nuance when it comes to comparing teams and predicting things, but we're going to give it our best shot. So, without further ado, let's dive into some predictions for the Region 2-6A Boys Championship.
1. Bridgeland
As two-time defending Region II champions coming off a podium finish at the state meet and an automatically qualified NXN appearance, Bridgeland is another team whose placement at the top of their region feels like a formality. This year's Bears team is made up similarly to the previous two, with a dominant and consistent front runner backed by an abundance of packed-up depth that makes up the type of well-rounded squad that contends for championships. One look at the data tells you that this is the fastest Bears team we've seen in the team's young history, and they look primed to make their best run at the state title.
As has been widely covered this year, Griffen Saacke has been phenomenal for Bridgeland, taking a major leap from a strong #2 runner to solidifying himself as one of the best in the state. He's been dominant across in-state competition so far this year and is also the predicted Region II individual champion. He's run two true sub-15:00 non-district races this season in the form of a 14:40.10 at the Strake Jesuit Invitational and a 14:53.64 at the Texas A&M Invitational to go along with a 14:13.30 three-mile, which converts to a 14:43.71 5k.
Moving beyond Saacke, Bridgeland's renowned depth has elevated their standard of fast-paced pack running. Their second-fourth runners are as close as you could want them, with Layton Carlisle, Maddox McCallister, and Dean Rosales all falling between 15:24 and 15:27. Add to this that their number five man, Kyle Pawlak, sits at 15:36.80, while their sixth and seventh runners both fall in the 15:40s and Bridgeland's depth is about as consistently reliable as you could hope for.
This Bridgeland team is as good as they've ever been, and they look ready to give Carroll one of their hardest challenges for the state title. It's hard to fully gauge how both teams stack up at the moment, given the difference in courses they've run, but if the Bears can keep their current form while narrowing their split, the state race will come down to the wire.
2. The Woodlands
If Bridgeland has been the dominant force of Region II this season, The Woodlands has been pretty firmly second in command behind the Bears. After a rebuilding year in 2023, the Highlanders have bounced back with two solid seasons that have bounced them right back into the conversation of the state's top-five teams. They're coming off a fifth-place finish at last year's state meet and have largely maintained a similar position in the state's hierarchy throughout 2025. Elton Martin's development into a sub-15 guy who can consistently produce at the front of races has been huge for this team and will continue to play a key role in their success this year. The Woodlands have stayed on the hunt this year, and they'll be back in Round Rock to fight for the top five yet again.
Elton Martin has been this team's leader this year, consistently producing at a high level and giving a depth-rich team the low stick that it needs to fight for big results. Martin's current season best sits at 14:53.70, which came at the Strake Jesuit Invitational, a race where he finished second. Martin has also had several other great performances, including finishing fourth at the Nike South Invitational and winning the College Park Invite. As mentioned, The Woodlands carries a strong cast of depth outside of Martin that allows them to contend for victory. Brady Meredith and Christian Greyling operate in the 15:40s, while James Clary and William Bishop round out the top five in 15:58.20 and 16:07.00, respectively.
While the times may not be as flashy as others, The Woodlands bring a proven pedigree of winning and consistency that has allowed them to achieve success beyond the statistics each year. They've once again showcased their ability to compete with the best teams in their region and beyond, and that experience plays a key role in their continued success. The battle for this spot will likely be close, with at least one of the teams behind them, but I'm betting on their experience and proven track record of success in this round to secure them the second qualifying spot.
3. Waxahachie
One of the more underrated teams over the last few years, Waxahachie has quietly become a consistent contender out of Region II. Their construction into a great team culminated with a great seventh-place finish at the state meet last season, and they've carried on with that great form this season with a very similar team. They had previously struggled with consistency before last season, running fast times but not being able to convert that into success at the regional level. However, they've since gotten over that hump, and team leader Cooper Grady has been a big part of that, along with guys like Brock Morales. It's been a long road to consistent qualification for Waxahachie, but 2025 should see them return to Round Rock for the second consecutive season.
Cooper Grady has led the team on a time basis this year, running 15:04.90 at his best and being a consistent low stick for a team that competes at several sizable meets throughout the year. Brock Morales has also been huge for Waxahachie this season, running 15:11.90 at his best, while Lucas Whitt occupies the #3 spot in 15:13.70. Jonathan Marsh and Oscar Harms round out the top five in 15:29.80 and 15:55.70, respectively, giving this Waxahachie squad a team average of 15:23.20 and a 50.8-second split. It's important to note that while these times are fast, different teams run different courses, and statistics often don't tell the full story when it comes to team analysis.
It's been a windy road for Waxahachie to end up as consistent state meet contenders, but that road has come to a head as they've proven they can consistently put out contending squads. Realistically, this team could very well challenge for second place at regionals, but it remains to be seen whether their speed on paper can outmatch the strength and consistency of The Woodlands. Nevertheless, Waxahachie has put out a great squad for the second consecutive season and should contend for a good result at the state meet.
4. The Woodlands College Park
College Park rounds out the final qualifying spot out of Region II, giving this region the same four qualifying teams from last year, making it out once again. It's been a tougher year for College Park than many would've expected, as they were seen as a potential preseason top-five team in some eyes. While that hasn't materialized for them, they've still managed to put together a campaign that should send them back to the state meet yet again. It's been a struggle for team consistency at times, but the leadership and continued production of now senior Camden Gibson have kept this team in the fight for an opportunity to do something solid at the state meet. Houston area teams have made a habit of snatching up Region II qualifying spots, and College Park should continue that trend again this year.
As mentioned, Camden Gibson has continued to lead this team as he has done the last three years. He's been a reliable low stick for them and has at times looked to be one of the state's top individual talents. He's run 15:21.70 at his best this year and also won the Cowboy Jamboree at Oklahoma State University, a course that's notorious for being one of the most difficult in the NCAA. Outside of Gibson, Ryan Beken has been a solid contributor for this squad, running 15:42.80 at his best, while Andrew Fry has also contributed under the 16:00 mark in 15:56.10. College Park's team average currently sits at 15:58.90 with a 72-second split, something that could leave them vulnerable if someone else has a good day.
While this ultimately may not have been the season College Park expected after their success the last two years, they should still make it back to Round Rock, where they can make some noise. Camden Gibson has been phenomenal for this team the last three seasons, and there's no reason to believe he won't continue to be as he closes out his high school cross-country career over the next few weeks. While it'll surely be a tight one, look for College Park to head back to Round Rock yet again.
Other Contenders to Watch: Royse City, Wylie East, Wylie