We were so focused on the Texas Distance Festival last weekend that we missed one of the biggest headlines of March.
The Lancaster girls 4x100-meter relay has been strong all season, posting consistent and respectable times. They've matched up with Duncanville multiple times, beginning at the 2026 DeSoto Nike Invitational, where Duncanville proved to be the better team that weekend, winning in 44.55 seconds. Lancaster finished second in 44.84. Lancaster responded at the Texas A&M Bluebonnet Invitational with a victory of its own, setting up a third meeting last weekend, when Lancaster broke through again - this time with a national-record performance.
The relay has been consistent, but its full potential wasn't on display until last Thursday, when it ran a season best at the 2026 Donnie Connor/Panther Relays. Lancaster got its rematch with Duncanville, with both teams set to face off in the same heat. From the start, it was all Lancaster. The block starts were explosive, the exchanges were crisp, and the anchor leg delivered down the stretch.
Lancaster won in 43.77, while Duncanville finished second in 44.84 - the same time Lancaster ran against them earlier this season.
In the end, Lancaster reigned supreme and is hitting its stride at the right time. It's still unclear if this team has reached its full potential.
One thing is certain: Lancaster now sits atop the rankings, not only in Texas but in the nation.