2025 UIL State Championships

2025 UIL 1A Boys State Cross Country Championship Preview

The final race of the 2025 UIL State Cross Country Championships promises to deliver one of the most tightly contested battles of the weekend as the 1A boys return to Old Settlers Park. With a deep field of returning stars, rising underclassmen, and several loaded teams, the smallest classification in Texas looks set to deliver big drama.

At the front of the individual race, all eyes will be on Sebastian Talamantez of Comstock. The defending state champion dominated the 2024 state meet with a winning time of 16:10, and he returns in 2025 fresh off a 16:52 victory at the Region 4 meet. While slightly off his PR, the senior remains the clear favorite heading into Saturday's showdown.

But the field chasing him is deeper and faster than ever. Kaden Lees of Marathon, who placed 20th at state last year (18:02), has made a massive leap, winning Region 2 with a blistering 17:25 and positioning himself as a podium contender. Colton Bilyeu of Bronte and Parker Kramer of Irion County were hot on his heels, both finishing under 17:36 in one of the day's most competitive regional races.

Region 3 champion Brett Macias of Neches posted an impressive 17:07, making him the fastest non-Region 4 runner this season and a legitimate threat to challenge Talamantez up front. He'll be joined by a deep team from Cumby Miller Grove, headlined by Jager Worrell and Joseph Roberson, both of whom broke 18:30 at regionals. With several returning runners from their 3rd-place state team last year, Miller Grove is locked in as one of the favorites for the team title.

Jayton, another returning state qualifier, brings back Sean Stanaland, who finished 13th at state last year and ran 17:58 at Region 2. Clyde Eula also returns after placing Hayden King in the top 10 in 2024. Boys Ranch, led by Region 1 champ Carter Esteban (18:13), enters the meet with strong pack potential and could surprise if they can compress their 2-5 gap.

Region 4 also produced team threats in Zephyr and Tilden McMullen County. Zephyr returns Aaron Fagan, who placed 8th in 2024 (17:17), and adds Spencer Marwitz, while McMullen has a full returning top five, anchored by sophomores Graysen Serrata and senior Joseph Timms.

With so many returning state veterans and breakthrough newcomers from every region, the 2025 race could feature one of the fastest and most closely packed fields in 1A history. The individual title may once again belong to Comstock's Talamantez, but the team title is wide open, with Miller Grove, Comstock, Clyde Eula, and Zephyr all bringing serious firepower to Round Rock.

Top 10 1A Boys Regional Performances

UIL 1A Boys State Championships - Team Preview

The race for the UIL 1A boys team title is shaping up to be one of the most compelling battles at Old Settlers Park, with multiple regional champions entering the meet with legitimate shots at the top prize.

Region 2 champion Clyde Eula comes in as the top-ranked squad after a dominant team performance in Lubbock. Led by Jackson Dechaume and Hayden King, the team posted a remarkably tight 1-5 spread of just 56 seconds and averaged 18:34 per runner, the fastest average of any team in the state entering the meet. With a veteran group featuring several returning state competitors, Clyde Eula is a strong favorite for a trophy and could very well claim gold.

Right behind them, Cumby Miller Grove, the Region 3 champions, also brings state experience and a history of success. The Bulldogs, led by freshman Jager Worrell and supported by a consistent pack, posted a team score of 39 and an average of 18:52. They are the defending bronze medalists and look poised to be back on the podium again.

Tilden McMullen County, the winners of Region 4, may be the biggest threat to win it all. Their depth was on full display with a dominant 1-5 spread of 1:08 and an average of 19:09. With multiple runners back from last year's squad that finished in the top five, they bring a balanced and dangerous team to Round Rock.

Jayton, another Region 2 squad, is an intriguing dark horse. They finished second to Clyde Eula but still averaged 19:14 and have Sean Stanaland, a top-15 returner from state, leading the charge. If their pack tightens, they could move up significantly.

Region 3 runners-up Garner quietly turned in a solid performance and will be in the mix for a podium spot as well. Meanwhile, Comstock and Zephyr, both from Region 4, bring strong pedigrees and state veterans. Comstock notably finished as state champions, returning their top scorers, including individual state champion Sebastian Talamantez.

From Region 1, Boys Ranch leads the charge after edging out Hartley and Booker. While their average time of 19:53 isn't the fastest among state qualifiers, their strong top three runners could keep them competitive. Hartley and Booker also bring experienced squads and could shake up the standings if they execute on race day.

Saltillo and Eden round out the top 12 teams to watch. Saltillo was third in Region 3, and Eden placed third in Region 2; both have solid team cores but will need standout performances to break into the top five.

With so many teams capable of scoring under 100 points, this year's 1A boys team race promises to be unpredictable and fiercely competitive. The championship may come down to pack running, composure under pressure, and who can best handle the hills of Round Rock when it matters most.