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The TAPPS state championships are tomorrow morning and afternoon. Here are the 4A Championship summaries that we think you'll want to study up on.
Girls Individual Race Preview: Parker Sets the Pace, But Rising Stars Are Lurking
The individual race at this year's TAPPS 4A Girls State Championship is shaping up to be a breakout moment for Savannah Parker of San Antonio Christian School at Castle Hills. The eighth grader leads all competitors with a season-best 11:54.27, making her the only athlete under 12 minutes this fall. After not being in the top ten a year ago, Parker has made huge strides and now enters Waco as the favorite to capture her first state title.
But she'll need to hold off a strong trio from Schertz St. John Paul II Catholic, starting with Emma Lane (12:40.40) and Abigail Garcia (12:42.10), both of whom have consistently run in the low 12s and will look to push the pace early. Add in Jocelyn Trevino (12:56.10), and Schertz has the strongest front pack in the field, capable of putting three runners in the top ten and possibly producing a surprise individual champion if Parker falters.
Also worth watching is Maryann Shulz from Tyler All Saints Episcopal, who's quietly run 12:43.00 this season. Meanwhile, returning state finalists such as Kinsley Williams from Lubbock Trinity Christian and Peyton Eiland from Geneva School of Boerne will be aiming to improve on last year's finishes and crack the podium. The race may be Parker's to lose, but several hungry competitors are prepared to make her earn it.
Girls Team Race Preview: St. John Paul II Looks to Secure the Crown
While the individual title may be tight, the team championship picture appears a bit more decisive heading into Waco. Schertz St. John Paul II Catholic High School comes in as the statistical favorite, boasting a projected score of 43 points and a team average of 13:12, the best in 4A. Their 1-2-3 punch of Lane, Garcia, and Trevino creates an almost insurmountable front-end advantage. With a relatively tight 1:38 split among their top five, they appear well-equipped to bring home their first state title.
Not far behind is San Antonio Christian School at Castle Hills, led by overall individual favorite Savannah Parker. The team holds a projected 72 points and a strong average of 13:33, but a wider 2:50 team split puts pressure on their fourth and fifth runners to rise to the occasion if they hope to upset St. John Paul II.
Geneva School of Boerne ranks third based on season performances with 102 points, relying on consistent mid-pack depth rather than a single standout. Their 2:22 split and a 14:03 average keep them in the medal mix. Defending state runner-up Midland Classical Academy sits just behind in fourth this year with a 14:40 average, while McKinney Christian Academy rounds out the top five in current projections.
With new faces rising and past contenders shifting positions, this year's 4A team race will be one of strategy and execution. If Schertz St. John Paul II runs to their potential, they could make a strong statement - but any misstep could open the door for Castle Hills or Geneva to capitalize.
Boys Individual Race Preview: Verdin's Title to Defend, But Pressure Builds
Heading into the 2025 TAPPS 4A Boys State Championship, all eyes are once again on Noah Verdin of Dallas Covenant. The reigning state champion has elevated his performance significantly this fall, clocking a blazing 15:30.00, which stands nearly 10 seconds ahead of his closest competition and nearly 1 minute and 20 seconds faster than his gold medal run last year. Verdin is in superb form and appears poised to repeat as champion, barring any surprises.
However, he won't go unchallenged. Isaac Knape of Houston St. Thomas has emerged as a serious contender with a season-best of 15:41.70, showing that he's not just chasing the podium but possibly gunning for the win. Knape leads a deep St. Thomas squad and has the benefit of training daily alongside elite teammates. Two of those teammates, Shaun Benesch (16:20.80) and Jaden Stephenson (16:31.50), are also among the top five performers this season and could disrupt the top individual picture or set a blistering early pace.
Also returning to the podium picture is Gibson Walker of Dallas Covenant, last year's bronze medalist, who has improved to a 16:37.00 this season. Expect him to mix it up near the front. Noah Blaut of Austin Hill Country Christian and Austin Barnett of Lubbock Trinity Christian are additional returning state veterans, and both have dipped under 17:00 this season, making them strong top-ten threats.
With a field full of experienced upperclassmen and fast-rising underclassmen like James Clark (Midland Classical) and Austin Cook (Midland Classical), the individual race may play out with an aggressive front pack early - but the real racing will come in the final mile, where championship grit will be tested.
Boys Team Race Preview: Houston St. Thomas Surges Toward Supremacy
The team title in the 2025 TAPPS 4A boys race looks like Houston St. Thomas's to lose. After finishing off the podium in 2024, the Eagles have built a powerhouse squad this year and currently sit atop the statistical rankings with a projected score of 33 points and an impressive 16:35 team average. With three runners ranked in the top five - Knape, Benesch, and Stephenson - and a tight 1:41 split, their depth and front-end dominance make them heavy favorites in Waco.
Defending champions Dallas Covenant will look to challenge behind the firepower of Noah Verdin and returning scorer Gibson Walker. They rank second in projected points with 74, but their success hinges on closing a significant gap between their top two runners and their 3-5 pack, which currently lags with a 2:32 spread. If Covenant can tighten their group and execute on race day, they could make it interesting at the top.
Midland Classical Academy, which placed fifth last year, now sits third in the projections. They're led by two rising underclassmen in Austin Cook and James Clark, and while their depth isn't as established, their 17:44 team average and 1:43 pack split keep them firmly in the mix for a podium finish. A strong day from their fourth and fifth runners could launch them into contention.
Outside the top three, Lubbock Trinity Christian and Trinity Christian Willow Park round out the top five teams by projection. Lubbock is led by Austin Barnett, but it will need big performances from its back end to make a serious climb. Trinity Willow Park has consistency through their lineup, but lacks a front-runner to match the other top squads.
In a field where one top-five finish could swing the standings, the 4A boys team championship may not be officially decided until the final few finishers cross the line. Houston St. Thomas enters as the dominant force - but as last year proved, the state meet is where reputations are made and expectations can be shattered.