2025 SPC 4A Boys Cross Country Championship Preview

Last year's chilly, dry air in North Texas made for textbook racing conditions. This year, runners will toe the line under warmer, more humid Gulf Coast skies, though the forecast suggests a relatively comfortable morning, not hot, but certainly not as brisk as Dallas. With a 9:00 a.m. start and Spring Creek's flat, grass-and-trail hybrid layout, expect the course to run fast, but not without resistance from the climate.

In a sport where environment can shape outcome, the shift back to Southeast Texas could play a subtle role in race dynamics, particularly for teams and individuals more acclimated to humidity and heat. Add to that the depth of the field this year, and you've got the makings of a high-stakes, tightly contested boys championship, where tactical awareness and toughness may be just as important as raw speed.

The 2025 SPC 4A Boys individual title race is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most competitive in recent memory. With nearly a dozen runners owning sub-17 credentials and multiple athletes carrying championship experience, Saturday's race at Spring Creek Park could be decided by tactics, weather, and who handles the pressure of the moment best.

Will Pacey (Houston Episcopal, Class of 2026)

Season Best: 15:25.50 | 2024 SPC Finish: 2nd (16:18.86)

The heavy favorite heading into Tomball, Pacey enters as the top returner from last year's championship and has dropped nearly a full minute from his 2024 SPC time. His 15:25 personal best this season is the fastest in the field by nearly 25 seconds and makes him the only runner in the race to go under 15:30.

But Pacey's appeal isn't just speed; he's become a championship-style runner. He's run tactically smart races throughout the season, often pushing late and finishing with authority. His strength and ability to manage pace in humid conditions could give him a crucial edge in the final mile at Spring Creek.

Andrew Wasserman (St. John's Houston, Class of 2026)

Season Best: 15:49.50 | 2024 SPC Finish: 10th (17:16.39)

The biggest leap forward in the field might belong to Wasserman, who improved from a mid-pack top-10 finish last year to a 15:49 front-runner this fall. He's led St. John's in nearly every major meet and consistently runs in the low-16s.

His breakthrough moment came at the Maverick Ramble, where he was the first SPC runner across the line (16:15) and placed 5th overall. He has the tools to challenge Pacey and is the leader of St. John's title push. If he's within striking distance at 4K, expect a fierce kick.

Samuel Caruso (St. John's Houston, Class of 2027)

Season Best: 16:07.40 | 2024 SPC Finish: 7th (16:52.93)

Caruso may be flying slightly under the radar, but he's another top-10 returner who's improved dramatically since last year. A sophomore with a strong engine and great feel for pace, he's consistently run in the low-16s, finishing 9th at Maverick Ramble (16:24) and helping anchor St. John's team's success.

Caruso could absolutely finish top three and even push for second place if he's having a peak day.

David Farrell (Houston Episcopal, Class of 2025)

Season Best: 16:04.50 | 2024 SPC Finish: 14th (17:24.89)

The senior captain for Episcopal, Farrell, brings championship maturity and a steady progression curve. He was a quiet contributor last season but has stepped up this year, finishing 49th at the Maverick Ramble with a strong 17:37 in a fast field.

His season best of 16:04 is faster than several runners ahead of him in last year's standings, and he'll look to be Episcopal's No. 2 behind Pacey. Don't be surprised if Farrell is in the lead pack after 3K.

St. John's Pack: Horatio Wilcox, Henry Caputo, Asher Gurr, and Jackson Hickok

All sub-16:40 runners this season, this group creates a wall of red in the second half of races. Wilcox (16:26), Caputo (16:31), Gurr (16:36), and Hickok (16:57) form one of the deepest supporting casts in the conference.

Wilcox and Caputo both ran in the top 11 at SPC last year and are stronger this fall. Gurr, a freshman, has been a revelation, finishing 13th at the Maverick Ramble. Expect one or more of these athletes to place top 10.

Other Contenders and Sleepers

• Oscar Whiteley Bermeo (St. Stephen's, Class of 2026), was 4th at last year's SPC meet and recently ran 16:09 this fall. He's the best individual threat for St. Stephen's and could push into the top five again.

• Evan Tsai (Greenhill, Class of 2027) has run 16:45 and 17:13 at two major meets. He was 16th last year as a freshman and is now a solid front-runner for Greenhill.

• David Dunwoody (Kinkaid, Class of 2029) is just a freshman, but he ran a 16:41 early in the season. Could be the top freshman in the field and crack the top 15.

• Jackson Bailey (St. Mark's, Class of 2026) was 9th at last year's SPC meet and consistent this fall. He ran 16:46 at Maverick Ramble, which could translate to another top-10 finish.

X-Factors: Weather, Humidity, and Championship Nerves

The Tomball course isn't overly technical, but it does demand mental toughness, especially in Southeast Texas humidity. Runners like Pacey and Wasserman, who have trained in the Houston heat, may handle the conditions better than their Dallas or Austin counterparts.

With so many sub-17 athletes, the race could go out hard. But if it turns tactical, athletes like Caruso, Wilcox, or Farrell-runners with proven late-race strength may vault into the top three.

Prediction:

• Winner: Will Pacey (Houston Episcopal)

• Podium: Andrew Wasserman (St. John's), Samuel Caruso (St. John's)

• Top Freshman: David Dunwoody (Kinkaid)

• Top Sleeper Pick: Oscar Whiteley Bermeo (St. Stephen's)

St. John's Houston: The Favorite With Depth

The defending champions and heavy favorites again, St. John's Houston returns with a core that's deep, experienced, and consistent. With a top-five averaging 16:14 and an incredible 42-second 1-5 spread, their strength lies in pack running. They scored just 27 points at their season-best performance and dominated at the Maverick Ramble (placing 5 runners in the top 17). If they execute to form, this could be their second straight SPC 4A title, and possibly in historic fashion.

Houston Episcopal: Led by the Frontman

While St. John's has depth, Houston Episcopal has star power. With Will Pacey, David Farrell, and Grayson Luengas leading the charge, they could steal the win if their backend holds strong. Episcopal's team average is an excellent 16:17, but their 1:37 1-5 spread leaves them vulnerable if the pack doesn't move up. They will need their 4-5 runners (Albee, Curtin) to close that gap to have a legitimate shot at the title.

Greenhill: Quietly Dangerous

Greenhill lacks a front-runner in the low 16s, but they boast consistency across their top five, led by Evan Tsai and Nicolas Ramos. Their 42-second spread is nearly as tight as St. John's, and their season-best average of 17:10 puts them clearly ahead of the rest of the second tier. A podium finish is well within reach.

Kinkaid School: Developing Core

Kinkaid brings a team in transition but with upside. Led by freshman David Dunwoody and supported by a cluster of runners around the 17:30 mark, they average 17:35 and have a spread just over 1:20. They'll need their 4-5 to hang on against Episcopal's and Greenhill's back end to break into the top three.

Dallas St. Mark's & St. Stephen's: Spoiler Potential

St. Mark's has improved steadily over the season, anchored by Jackson Bailey, and averaged 17:24 with a strong top 3. If their 4-5 runners step up, they could climb past Kinkaid or Greenhill.

St. Stephen's, the 2022 champions, remain a tough team to evaluate. With Oscar Whiteley Bermeo returning in strong form and others like Ben Oehler showing promise, they could contend for a podium spot, but their 2-minute-plus spread leaves them needing a flawless day.

Houston Christian: Improving Core, Building Depth

Houston Christian's top runners, Michael Booth and Jaxson Lebrun, are solid, but the team's average of 18:37 and nearly 2-minute spread puts them out of top-five contention this year. Look for them to develop toward 2026 with a young roster.

Championship Outlook

The 2025 SPC 4A Boys race looks like a clash between St. John's Houston's depth and Houston Episcopal's firepower. Greenhill will play spoiler, while Kinkaid and St. Mark's aim for top-four finishes. The team title could hinge on back-end scorers, and the individual crown looks like a two-horse race between Will Pacey and Andrew Wasserman. Expect tight packs, a fast front, and a tactical showdown as SPC 4A's best toe the line in Tomball.