Then there are the El Paso Eastwood and Austin Vandegrift programs which are two of the best closing teams in the South Region.

Eastwood has qualified several teams in the past five years to NXN along with multiple individuals. They are again extremely good this year. Vandegrift got an at-large bid to NXN last year and has had individuals in the past. However, they haven't been at full strength all season long until the UIL state meet. Three weeks later, we can see them as fit as they've been all season long.

NXR South Boys - Team Summary Table 

Carroll - Fastest Avg Time

• 14:52 average is nearly NXN-podium level.

• Best firepower + depth combination in the region.

Eastwood - Best Split (0:27)

• NCAA-level compression.

• Every runner in striking range of each other.

Deer Creek - Tightest Pack (0:19)

• Insane uniformity, but average time is too slow to threaten top-two.

Jesuit - Best Non-Texas Profile

• 15:28 avg + 0:34 split = true contender.

• Their compression mirrors Bentonville.

Bentonville - Best Score (44)

• Most efficient scoring profile of any non-Carroll team.

National Status: Top-5 program

Avg Time: 14:52

1-5 Spread: 0:45

Identity: Fastest + deepest team in the region

Narrative: The dynasty continues. Again.

Top Runners:

• Caden Leonard - 14:29 (1)

• Kai Gutierrez - 14:37 (3)

• Michael Fuller - 14:48 (8)

• Claudio Auns - 15:11 (38)

• Grant Norgart - 15:14 (49)

Profile:

Carroll is the only team in the region capable of winning the regional meet without having to run its best race. Their 1-3 is unmatched, their 1-7 depth is absurd, and their championship DNA is proven: they consistently deliver at NXR South.

Qualifying Outlook:

Auto Qualifier #1. The defending champs are the overwhelming favorites.

BENTONVILLE (AR) - "The Leg-Speed Arsenal"

Avg Time: 15:26

1-5 Spread: 0:44

Identity: Raw speed + elite pack discipline

Narrative: The fastest Arkansas team ever assembled.

Top Runners:

• Brian Burns - 14:59 (2)

• Sean Burns - 15:22 (6)

• Logan Hurley - 15:26 (7)

• Alex Wagner - 15:38 (12)

• Vini Pimentel - 15:44 (17)

Profile:

Bentonville may have the purest leg speed of any team in the region. Their 1-4 is frighteningly smooth, and their 5-7 are right on the edge of pushing them into NXN territory. They race like a college program-disciplined, assertive, and confident.

Qualifying Outlook:

Auto Qualifier threat. On paper, they are the strongest challenger to Carroll.

JESUIT (LA) - "The Most Experienced Team in the Field"

Avg Time: 15:28

1-5 Spread: 0:34

Identity: The most seasoned, poised lineup in 2025

Narrative: The most rested Jesuit team ever entering NXR South.

Top Runners:

• Brady Monahan - 15:11 (2)

• Joe Accardo - 15:27 (4)

• David Quintana - 15:29 (5)

• Connor Fanberg - 15:30 (6)

• Andrew Nimmo - 15:45 (10)

Profile:

Jesuit has raced everywhere - Nike South Invitational champion, Great American runner-up, heavy national meet exposure - and they look the most complete they've ever been entering NXR. Add in the extra recovery days this year, and they're suddenly dangerously fresh.

Qualifying Outlook:

Auto Qualifier threat. Another non-Texas team with realistic top-two ability.

KELLER (TX) - "The Quiet Texan Threat"

Avg Time: 15:09

1-5 Spread: 0:38

Identity: Consistent, clean, and sharp

Narrative: Overlook them at your own risk.

Top Runners:

• Boston Bowcutt - 14:49 (9)

• Anthony Abeyta - 15:04 (23)

• Heath Shiflett - 15:12 (41)

• Austin Boto - 15:12 (44)

• Cade Swan - 15:27 (84)

Profile:

One of Texas' most stable program in 2025. Keller has executed all year, consistently producing elite scoring averages and closing races hard. They don't have a glaring weakness.

Qualifying Outlook:

Outside auto-shot

BRIDGELAND (TX) - "The Consistent Contenders"

Avg Time: 15:18

1-5 Spread: 0:56

Narrative: Consistent all season. But can they deliver like last year?

Top Runners:

• Griffen Saacke - 14:40 (6)

• Layton Carlisle - 15:24 (72)

• Maddox McCallister - 15:25 (76)

• Dean Rosales - 15:27 (83)

• Kyle Pawlak - 15:36 (128)

Profile:

Bridgeland is steady. Predictable. Reliable. They were third at state again this year, and last season they struck gold at NXR South-they have been here before, and they know how to execute in big November races.

Qualifying Outlook:

Serious and legitimate chance. Not a lot needed to go right, but nothing can go wrong.

EASTWOOD (TX) - "The Tightest Pack in Texas"

Avg Time: 15:24

1-5 Spread: :027 - Best in the Region

Narrative: Eyeing a return trip to Portland.

Top Runners:

• Noah Loweree - 15:08 (33)

• Noah Garcia - 15:20 (64)

• Job DeSantos - 15:25 (73)

• Elias Alcocer - 15:31 (102)

• Jacob Lara - 15:36 (127)

Profile:

If pack running wins championships, Eastwood is a threat to blow up this meet. Their 1-5 moves as a single organism; they always close late, and Dale Watts favors cohesion.

Qualifying Outlook:

Legitimate upset candidate.

VANDEGRIFT (TX) - "The Comeback Team No One Wants to Face"

Avg Time: 15:24

1-5 Split: 1:13

Identity: The best closing team in the South

Narrative: Fully healthy for the first time all season - and that's terrifying.

Unpacking Vandegrift

• Vandegrift gets its full team back and healthy.

• They made NXN last year and could be better this year.

• We haven't seen their best race yet - Monday could be it.

Miles Nutt:

• Ran 15:17 at Texas A&M, then missed a month.

• Was working way back into form at state (15:53).

• Three weeks later? He could be back in full form.

Collin Goodwin:

• Opened his season late (16:11 on Oct. 8).

• Dropped to 15:38 at state.

• Has a 15:03 PR last year - if he's back, Vandy is a threat.

State Race Trend:

• 10th place at mile 1 (268 pts)

• 6th at mile 2 (165 pts)

• Finished 2nd (98 pts)

Vandy moves forward while everyone else fades.

Top Runners:

• Kai McCullough - 14:41 (7)

• Miles Nutt - Potential major rebound

• Collin Goodwin - Trending upward fast

• Dewagan / Goodwin / Mills - improving each week

Qualifying Outlook:

The scariest wild-card in the field. A healthy Vandegrift can absolutely steal a qualifying spot.

CANYON (TX) - "The Sleeping Giant"

Avg Time: 15:36

1-5 Spread: 0:55

Narrative: The most underrated team in Texas this year.

Canyon has quietly outperformed many 6A teams head-to-head this fall. Only Carroll slightly outperformed them in shared competitions. This group has no fear.

Top Runners:

• San Miguel - 15:04 (22)

• Cooper - 15:04 (24)

• Simmons / Labue / Kirton - improving pack

Profile:

A team with multiple low sticks, growing depth, and massive upside. Canyon is trending at exactly the right time.

Qualifying Outlook:

Top-6 potential. Sleeper for top-5. If things go wrong for other teams and Canyon is clicking, they can easily run to a top two spot.

DEER CREEK (OK) - "The Underrated Midwestern Disruptor"

Avg Time: 15:48

1-5 Spread: 0:19 (Insanely tight)

Narrative: Running without expectations - and that makes them dangerous.

If their fifth can close the gap even slightly, Deer Creek becomes a top-2 threat. They are the best-positioned underdog in the field.

Profile:

Pure pack running. No stars. No panic. Just textbook XC execution.

Qualifying Outlook:

Top-8 team, top-two might be a stretch, but it is still a major spoiler candidate.

BROTHER MARTIN (LA) - "The Dangerous Sleeper"

Avg Time: 15:49

1-5 Spread: 0:22

Narrative: More rest than usual for the Louisiana teams - expect a sharper version of Brother Martin.

Brother Martin is extremely tight and thrives in tactical races. Their pack is strong enough to beat multiple Texas teams if things get messy up front.

Qualifying Outlook:

Top-10 contender with sleeper upside.

CATHOLIC BR (LA) - "The Blue-Collar Brawler"

Avg Time: 15:57

1-5 Spread: 0:43

Narrative: Hard-nosed program that always beats projections.

Profile:

Their 1-2 gives them fighting chance in any field; depth limits them against national powers.

Qualifying Outlook:

Solid midpack finisher.