2026 UIL 5A Boys XC Season Preview: Top Teams & Returners

Aug 13, 2026

The 2026 Texas High School Cross Country season promises to be another great one. Over the next few days, I will be previewing each of the six UIL classifications with an eye on the State championship. Each article will feature the top returning teams and individuals from the 2025 season that we should all be watching.

Grapevine rolled to the 2025 UIL 5A Boys State title with 63 points, nearly half the total of the next best teams. Rivals McAllen and Weslaco East battled it out for second place. Weslaco East had three runners cross the finish line before McAllen, but McAllen's top-5 all finished in front of the Weslaco East #4 runner to take second place. All three teams should be back in the mix again in 2026.

Top Teams

Austin LASA - They return six runners from last year's State meet. Joaquin Gonzalez leads the crew and potentially be in contention for a podium spot this year. The team is strong, but could use a little more firepower.

Boerne Champion - Six returners return that are known for finishing in a tight pack. If the whole group improves a few seconds each it could pave the way for a great season. Their top five will all be seniors wanting to go out on a high note.

Grapevine - The reigning champions bring back four runners from last year. Juan Gallegos leads the way for a talented group that features three runners who ran faster than 16:15 on the State meet course in 2025. If they can find one more high-quality runner they will be the favorites for a repeat crown.

McAllen - The name of the game was pack running for this team. Their 1-7 split was only 23 seconds last year and they return five men from that squad. If one or two of their group can move up into the top-10 in the State they will be thinking about winning the title.

Weslaco East - The second Valley school that has a legitimate shot at the State title. Junior Alexander Nava is now the undisputed leader of the team after brother, Aaron, graduated this past year. If the rest of their scoring runners can break up the packs of some of the other top teams, they will be dangerous.

Best of the Rest

Colleyville Heritage - Six returners from last year's State qualifying squad.

Dallas Wilson - Need one more quality runner to be a real threat.

Georgetown - Matthew Morales and Lincoln Sypniewski provide a strong top two.

Georgetown East View - Brayden Lazenby leads a group the has six returning from last year's State qualifying team.

Lucas Lovejoy - They have a top individual in Tristan Arceneau and should be able to surround him with another strong team.

Top Returning Seniors

Tristan Arceneau, Lucas Lovejoy, 2x State qualifier, 21^st in 2025, 9^th in 2024

Kristopher Contreras, Grapevine, 2x State qualifier, 26^th in 2025, 65^th in 2024

Azael Davila, La Joya Palmview, 25^th in 2025

Juan Gallegos, Grapevine, 2x State qualifier, 10^th in 2025, 62^nd in 2024

Joaquin Gonzalez, Austin LASA, 2x State qualifier, 22^nd in 2025, 42^nd in 2024