Ethan Locke competes at the 2025 TDF 3,200m
- - -
The TAPPS state championships are tomorrow morning and afternoon. Here are the 2A Championship summaries that we think you'll want to study up on.
Individual Race Preview: Clara Gibson Leads a Deep Field of Contenders
The 2025 TAPPS 2A girls individual championship is expected to revolve around Clara Gibson of Valor Prep Academy, the returning silver medalist from last year. Gibson has taken a massive step forward this season, dropping her time from 13:41.38 to 12:29.90, establishing herself as the clear favorite. She brings not just experience on the championship stage but impressive form, dominating nearly every race this fall.
Chasing Gibson is a mix of returning all-staters and emerging talent. Elizabeth Cruce-Roberts of Christ the King Diocesan, 10th last year, has improved to 13:14.00, showing the kind of form that could land her on the podium. Valor Prep also has depth with Ellie Buck (13:17.50) and Jozie McCall (13:46.32) in the top 10 season performances, giving the program multiple athletes capable of high finishes.
Also returning from last year's top 10 is Kathleen Bartley of Amarillo Ascension Academy, who was 8th in 2024 and now ranks among the top five season performances. Other athletes to watch include Victory Christian Academy's Ceattle Cooper, a breakout runner with a season best of 13:29.50, and Bryan St. Joseph's Leah Hurley, another top-10 returner who's consistently competitive in championship settings. With several athletes clustered in the 13:20s and 13:30s, expect a competitive chase behind Gibson for podium spots and all-state honors.
Team Race Preview: Valor Prep Looks to Turn Bronze into Gold
After placing third at last year's championship, Valor Prep Academy comes into Monday's race as the clear favorite to capture the TAPPS 2A girls team title. With a dominant 30-point projection and a team average of 13:51.74, Valor boasts unmatched depth. Their top three, Gibson, Buck, and McCall, are all ranked in the top six statewide based on times, and their fourth and fifth runners are holding steady in the low 14s. Their 2:26 split speaks to a fairly compact and powerful pack that should lead them to the top of the podium if they execute.
Challenging them most closely is Victory Christian Academy, who placed fifth in 2024 but return stronger this fall. Their front-runner Ceattle Cooper is joined by teammates Brooklyn Kennedy and Hadley Harrison, forming a trio with sub-14:20 potential. With a tighter 1:57 split and a team average of 14:34.75, they've significantly closed the gap and are poised to contend for second-or even a surprise upset if Valor falters.
Bryan St. Joseph Catholic, last year's runner-up, once again enters the meet in podium contention. They are led by consistent performers Leah Hurley and Sarah Wagner, with a strong supporting cast keeping them close in team scoring. With a team average of 14:40.20 and a 2:00 split, Bryan St. Joseph has both experience and steadiness on its side.
Behind the top three, Bracken Christian and Lubbock All Saints Episcopal round out the top five in season rankings, though both would need breakout performances from their back-end runners to challenge for the podium. With weather, nerves, and course conditions always factors in Waco, the door is open for surprises, but Valor Prep looks ready to bring home a long-anticipated title.
Individual Race Preview: Locke Looks to Cement His Legacy in Dominant Fashion
The 2025 TAPPS 2A boys state championship individual race is shaping up to be a coronation for Ethan Locke of Valor Prep Academy. The senior and defending state champion has had an exceptional season, lowering his time from 16:09.61 in last year's title win to a jaw-dropping 15:10.07 this fall, more than 50 seconds faster than anyone else in the division. Locke has demonstrated not only consistency but complete control over his races this season, often winning by significant margins. With this level of dominance, the real race may be for second place.
Chasing Locke is a familiar name in Roman Martinez from Amarillo Ascension Academy, who was fourth a year ago but has improved tremendously, now running 15:27.28, and positioning himself as the only athlete within striking distance. Martinez's teammate Zachary Parker (16:59.44) and the ever-reliable trio from Lubbock Southcrest Christian, Lucas Higgins, Caleb Johnson, and Jorden Anderson, will also be in the hunt for all-state finishes. All three Southcrest runners placed in the top 10 last year and have shown steady improvements this season.
Also in the mix is Daniel Puller from Bryan Allen Academy, a new face to the top 10 leaderboard with his 17:30.69 best, and Bryant Parker of Bishop Louis Reicher, who brings veteran experience. Still, with Locke so far ahead on paper, it will take something extraordinary to prevent him from winning his second consecutive TAPPS 2A title-and in record-setting fashion.
Team Race Preview: Southcrest's Depth Will Be Tested Against Ascension and Valor
The team battle for the 2025 TAPPS 2A boys championship could mirror last year's showdown, with Lubbock Southcrest Christian School again entering as the favorite. The defending champions, who scored just 25 points in 2024, come into this year's meet with a strong pack and the best team average at 17:51.79. Their lead trio, Lucas Higgins, Caleb Johnson, and Jorden Anderson, all return from last year's top-five team effort and are running faster than ever. Their 3:09 split from runners 1 through 5 highlights a lineup that's tight, experienced, and ready for repeat success.
However, Amarillo Ascension Academy is poised to challenge. Led by Martinez and Parker up front, Ascension brings a top-five that averages 18:01.38, just 10 seconds behind Southcrest. Their 4:21 split is a concern, but their low sticks and improving depth could give them a chance to pull the upset if Southcrest falters at any point. The key for Ascension will be the performance of their 4th and 5th runners-if they can close the gap on Southcrest's back end, things could get interesting.
Don't count out Valor Prep Academy, either. Despite relying heavily on Locke's individual dominance, Valor is deeper this year than in 2024 and has improved its team average to 18:16.03, closing the gap with its rivals. The question is whether their nearly 5-minute spread can be minimized enough to keep them competitive on the team score sheet.
Outside contenders include Lubbock All Saints Episcopal, whose strong top three are offset by a deeper drop-off in the second half of their lineup, and Muenster Sacred Heart, who has shown steady development but will need breakout performances to crack the top three.
In all, Southcrest is still the team to beat-but Amarillo Ascension and Valor Prep have both taken meaningful steps forward, and Monday's championship could be decided by just a few places in the final kilometer.