This Bridgeland trio sealed the team title for the UIL 6A championship

The rain was no more by the time the gun went off for the highest Girls' race of the year, the 6A Girls state championship. To say it was ideal racing weather by this point in the morning would be an understatement, so we knew we were in for a good one. 

Coming into this race, Flower Mound was the favorite to six-peat, coming off yet another strong campaign. Adeline Bennett has been a top runner in the state this year for the Jaguars, and she was expected to play a key role in their success once again this season, this time being the official leader of the team. 

On the individual side, Macy Wingard came into the morning with the fastest time of the season at 16:30. Laney Barnes of Cypress Woods sat second on a time basis. In contrast, Maya Easterwood sat third on time, marking the third of three girls coming into the race under 17:00. 

Macy Wingard blew through the mile mark in 5:04, a massive sixteen seconds ahead of Adeline Bennett, who came through second in 5:20, followed by Laney Barnes and Maya Easterwood. 

There were just two points in it on the team side through the mile split, with Flower Mound sitting on 39 while Bridgeland was right on their heels with 41 points. The Woodlands held a distant third with 112 points, while Northwest Nelson and Southlake Carroll sat at 122 and 135. 

Wingard extended her lead through two miles, coming through at 10:25.80, 23 seconds ahead of Barnes and Easterwood, who had begun to separate from Bennet in fourth, coming through at 10:48. 

The gap on the team side increased slightly through 3200m, with Flower Mound sitting on 36 points while Bridgeland remained in striking distance with 44. The difference through the two-mile mark was with depth, as Flower Mound's fifth runner was further ahead of the field despite Bridgeland's presence with three runners in the top 8. 

Wingard rode her astonishing start to an easy victory in a race that had the potential to be competitive based on seeding. She finished in 16:45.80, 24 seconds ahead of Laney Barnes, who finished second for Cypress Woods in her first and only Texas season, an impressive effort. 

Easterwood rounded out the podium in 17:13.10 while Bennet claimed fourth in 17:29.00. Bridgeland notably finished 5th and 6th, playing a critical role in their hopes for the team title. 

The race for the team title came down to virtually nothing, with just three points separating first and second place. Bridgeland ultimately broke through to take the title with 38 points while Flower Mound narrowly missed out on another title with 41. 

This marks the first state championship for Bridgeland in program history, backed by an incredible performance with three runners in the top nine. 

Katy secured third with 90 points, while The Woodlands and Southlake Carroll rounded out the top five with 124 and 142, respectively. 

This was the closest race we've seen all weekend as the title changed hands after a dominant reign from Flower Mound. Bridgeland now sits atop the 6A throne as the Bears will look to repeat what Flower Mound did and build a dynasty. 

2025 UIL 6A Girls Cross Country State Championship race