This Monday, the best private school distance runners in Texas will converge on Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco for the 2025 TAPPS 6A Cross Country State Championships. As the final and most prestigious race of the season, it will serve as a culmination of months of hard work, team building, and competition for both individual glory and team supremacy. With the possibility of fairly cool temperatures expected and a fast, rolling course layout, conditions are shaping up for a memorable day of racing.
TAPPS athletes and programs have not only made waves across the state this fall but have also made their mark beyond Texas borders, showcasing the depth and development of private school distance running. From national-caliber individuals clocking sub-16:00 and sub-12:00 efforts, to team performances that rival the best public schools, TAPPS has elevated its reputation as a high-level cross country division.
Now, as the field lines up in Waco, the championship spotlight will be squarely on key matchups: Can Houston St. Agnes defend their dominant girls title, or will other top programs like Antonian and Ursuline Academy take the 6A title? On the boys' side, can Antonian fend off TMI and Central Catholic to win again?
Individually, there are more interesting questions is who will win individually, John Boland, Ethan Garza, or Wells Peterson? Will it be Georgia Giesinger or Presley Andras, Sophie Da Silva, Abby Spears, or someone else?
In the sections ahead, we'll preview the top teams and individuals-boys and girls-and what to watch for when the gun goes off on championship Monday.
Individual Race Preview: Battle at the Front with New Faces and Familiar Names
The 2025 TAPPS 6A Girls State Championship individual title will be a showcase of both seasoned veterans and rapidly rising underclassmen. At the top of the list is Georgia Giesinger from Fort Worth Nolan Catholic, whose season-best of 11:30 over 3200 meters stands as the fastest in the field. The junior has a proven ability to lead from the front and close strong, giving her a legitimate shot at state gold.
Right on her heels is Presley Andras of Dallas Ursuline Academy, a senior who's run 11:41 and brings plenty of postseason experience. As a top returner, Andras knows how to navigate the intensity of the state meet. She's backed by freshman teammate Jenna Priest (12:14), another breakout star who could help push the pace from the gun.
Also in the individual hunt is Sophie Da Silva of Houston St. Agnes, who posted a stellar 11:47.80 earlier this season. Da Silva has been dominant all year, and her front-running style may force others to make early decisions. Her younger teammates Marina Hart (12:01.90) and Sophia Nguyen (12:14.30) have shown they can also run with the best, giving St. Agnes three potential All-State finishers.
Expect strong performances from Abby Spiars of Plano John Paul II (11:49), a senior with sharp closing speed, and Camille Taylor of Liberty Christian, who has run under 12:22 and is consistently near the front in major meets. Natalia Sandoval and Daniela Shelfo of TMI Episcopal also return as top-five threats after impressive races in the low 12-minute range.
Overall, the individual podium race is loaded with athletes capable of breaking the 12:00 barrier. With nearly a dozen runners separated by less than 45 seconds, the race will likely come down to the final hill and final kick.
Team Race Preview: St. Agnes Looks Unbeatable - But the Chase Pack is Deep
Entering the 2025 state meet, Houston St. Agnes is the clear favorite to repeat as TAPPS 6A champions. They dominated their regional competition with just 22 points, thanks to an elite top three, Sophie Da Silva, Marina Hart, and Sophia Nguyen, all finishing in the top five. Add in Roselynne Da Silva and Tess Pacetti, and the Tigers' 57-second 1-5 spread and 12:16.94 average make them not only the top team in TAPPS but one of the best private school squads in Texas overall.
Still, the fight for the podium behind St. Agnes will be thrilling. Fort Worth Nolan Catholic and Dallas Ursuline Academy were separated by just two points at regionals, 38 to 40, despite taking different approaches. Nolan, led by Georgia Giesinger, relies on a solid top four who run in close proximity and averaged 12:25 with a 1:48 spread. Ursuline counters with more front-loaded talent, and their team-average of 12:27 and a tighter 1:13 spread gives them a slight statistical edge. Their depth and experience from past state meets make them tough to beat when it counts.
Outside of the top three, San Antonio Antonian has a chance to play spoiler. With a 65-point team total and a 13:02 average, they rely more on pack-running and veteran leadership. If one or two of their runners can break into the top 15, they could push back into podium contention.
TMI Episcopal and Plano John Paul II are dark horses. While they don't match the front-running firepower of the top squads, their depth and team chemistry have been evident. If either team can move their pack closer to the front, they could climb into the top five.
Also keep an eye on Liberty Christian, who has two runners in the top 10 but a large gap to their 4th and 5th. If they can tighten their spread from the current 3:18, they might surprise some favorites.
Ultimately, the team race for second and third is wide open, but St. Agnes will be incredibly difficult to dethrone barring a major off day. Their combination of front-end dominance, youth, and a proven championship culture makes them the most complete team in the field.
6A Boys Individual Race Preview: A Deep Field Headlined by Favorites and Dark Horses
The 2024 TAPPS 6A Boys State Championship individual title looks to be one of the most hotly contested in recent memory. Leading the field is John Boland, the dynamic junior from San Antonio Antonian, who enters the meet with the fastest time in the classification at 15:11.45. Boland, who was last year's runner-up and the team leader for Antonian's 2023 championship squad, has been unbeatable within the division this fall and seems poised to take the final step to a state title.
However, the path to gold won't be easy. Ethan Garza of TMI Episcopal is not only returning as a podium finisher from last year's meet but has also clocked an incredible 15:16.50, just five seconds off Boland's season-best. His teammate, Wells Peterson, adds to TMI's firepower with a 15:30.70 season best and fourth-place finish in 2023. Together, they could dictate the pace from the gun and force Boland to respond early.
There's also Nathan Womack (16:01.91), who has also demonstrated sharp form this season and could play spoiler roles in the front pack. In particular, has shown an ability to race tactically and close hard, which could be critical if the race becomes strategic over the hilly final mile.
Young talents like Alex Mendoza of Plano John Paul II and Leonidas Bendele of Central Catholic, both freshmen, have broken through this season with 16:08 and 16:23 performances, respectively. Their poise and leg speed suggest they could break into the top 10 and maybe higher if the older competitors falter.
And don't overlook Harman Pope from Dallas Bishop Lynch. Despite being new to the state-level spotlight, he's proven himself with a 16:03.70 and has consistently competed with TAPPS' best all season. Expect a massive front group in the early miles, but with just a few capable of matching Boland and Garza when the pressure ramps up in the final stretch.
6A Boys Team Race Preview: Loaded Teams and Tightly Packed Projections
The team battle at the 2024 TAPPS 6A Boys State Championship is as unpredictable and deep as it's ever been. Defending champions San Antonio Antonian are back in contention and looking sharp after a dominant regional win where they scored just 42 points and posted a 16:17 team average. With Boland leading and a deep supporting cast including Luke Wurzbach, Channing Shaeffer, and Jonavon Lott, Antonian boasts five runners under 16:36. Their 1-5 split of 1:23 is one of the best in the field, showing balance and cohesion across the scoring lineup.
But perhaps the most dangerous team on the line is TMI Episcopal, who may have the best top-end talent in the field. With Garza and Peterson both capable of winning outright, the question lies in their third through fifth runners. Their recent regional outing saw them win with just 22 points, powered by a 16:45 average and a 1-5 spread of 2:19. If their depth runners can hang close to Antonian's pack, they could leave Temple with the team title.
Central Catholic - San Antonio enters as another serious podium threat. They are the definition of consistency, running a 16:35 average with a stunningly tight 23-second split across their top five. Their strength is in numbers, with several runners like Bendele, Sergio Martinez, and Marcus Cecconi hovering around the low-16:30s. They may not have a front-running ace. Still, their pack strength makes them a legitimate contender for a top-three spot, and perhaps more if others falter.
Houston St. Pius X is the dark horse. They placed third at regionals, running a 16:44 average, and return key runners like Mason Collette, who placed in the top ten at last year's state meet. Their top five are tightly bunched, with just a 15-second split, which gives them an edge if conditions get tough or the front group overcooks the early miles. If one or two of their runners can sneak into the top 20 overall, they'll be in the conversation for a trophy.
St. Dominic Savio Catholic and St. John XXIII round out the list of podium contenders. St. Dominic Savio's strength lies with Caleb Kyburz and Ethan Guess, who have raced well late in the season, but their team average of 17:09 suggests they'll need big improvements to crack the top three. St. John XXIII boasts a solid core, but their average of 17:22 leaves little margin for error in such a deep field.
Ultimately, the race may come down to how the third, fourth, and fifth runners perform on race day. The front-runners may cancel each other out, leaving team depth and the ability to close strong on the hilly state course as the deciding factor.