Runners had to endure rainy, wet, and muddy conditions, however, they were able perceiver through during the UIL Region I-2A cross country championships ran at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock on Monday.
The Texas Panhandle had a stellar day, especially on the girls side.
Sparking the race was the Guver Lady Hounds. Gruver scored 58 points to claim a third straight regional championship and punch a ticket back to the UIL Class 2A state meet.
“This is a testament to this program and the expectation of this team,” Gruver cross country coach Steven Livingston said. “It’s a town that’s and an athletic program that’s built on excellence in everything we do. This team is led by five seniors that have ran all four years, and they’ve done a fantastic job. They have anchored this group and I’m proud of them.”
Pacing the Lady Hounds was District 1-2A champion Paisley Quirk. Quirk was able to finish in the top 10 by placing seventh overall with a time of 12:59.1. Teammate Halle McLain followed right behind in 10th clocking a 13:08.4 and Josie Scheink was 11th getting a time of 13:11.1.
Farwell had a strong morning thanks to the 1-2 punch of Alexis Wade and Ava Jaime. The Lady Blue finished fourth (135 points) as a team and will head to the state cross country meet behind that duo. Wade qualified for her fourth straight state meet and won by winning the individual Region I-2A championship pacing the field with a 12:06.8. Teammate Jaime was right behind Wade getting the silver medal running a 12:28.7.
Wellington is also heading to the state championships with a third place team total of 136 points. Taytum Kane, the District 2-2A champion, ran a strong race placing fourth overall with a 12:44.30.
There were also a host of individuals advancing to state. Bovina’s Yareli Antillon took sixth overall (12:57.4), Clarendon’s Addyson Havens made it with a time of 13:11.7), Abernathy’s Breanna Shorter punched a ticket thanks to a time of 13:28.4, as did Panhandle’s Emery Light (13:28.9).
In boys’ action, the Gruver Greyhounds were the only Texas Panhandle team to advance to the UIL Class 2A state meet with a silver medal finish scoring 97 points.
It’s only the second time in school history for the Greyounds team to advance after making it last year.
“This boys program was only resurrected five years ago,” Livingston said. “These guys are setting a standard by winning district and being able to qualify for state back-to-back years. They are wanting to live up to the precedent set by the Lady Hounds team and they are living up to the challenge.”
Brody Quirk led the Greyhounds with an eighth place finish clocking a time of 17:46.8. Teammate Yael Mendoza was able to score inside the top 20 with a time of 18:05.9.
Individuals advancing to the state meet were – Dalyn Lucio of Floydada with a fifth place individual finish (17:17.6), Vega’s Roland McCray took ninth (17:35.1), New Deal’s Grayson Broadus (17:44.6), Sunray’s Mateo Barragan (17:47.4), Chase Fritcher of Boys Ranch (17:52) and Josiah Lopez of Farwell (17:55.)
Next up
The UIL Class 2A state cross country championships is set for Nov. 6-7 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
Check out the results
For a complete look at the UIL Region I-2A results, please visit https://mychiptime.com/searchevent.php?id=17287
Photo gallery by David Erickson and Mairyn Flores:
