Team of young runners in red uniforms with medals around their necks pose on stage, holding a wooden championship trophy in front of a red curtain backdrop. — The Perryton Rangers won the Region I-4A team cross country championship Monday at Mae Simmons Park. [David Erickson/ Press Pass Sports]

Rainy and muddy conditions didn’t stop Texas Panhandle runners and teams from posting banner performances during the Region I-4A cross country championships held at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock on Monday.

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On the boys’ side, there was a new face making a splash. Just like they did at the District 4-4A meet, the Perryton Rangers were able to fend off rival Canyon to win the Region I-4A team championship with 81 points to the Eagles 94 points.

It’s the Rangers first time winning a regional in 16 years.

“Coming off a district we celebrated,” Perryton cross country coach Staci Erickson said. “We knew it was time to get back to work because everything is earned not given. It was constant rain but the guys had great attitudes. For the guys to win a regional title, especially as a smaller school in Class 4A is amazing. They’ve put in so much hard work and it’s awesome to see it pay off. It’s exciting to bring this back to the school and now we have to get ready for state.”

Male runner in a red racing kit with bib 1289 sprinting on a wet, grassy field; raindrops visible in the air with blurred spectators in the background. — Perryton’s Jacob Erickson won the UIL Region I-4A individual championship Monday. [David Erickson/ Press Pass Sports]

Junior and District 4-4A champion Jacob Erickson highlighted Perryton’s performance winning the individual title by 32 seconds, pacing the field with a top time of 15.01.5.

“Jacob had nerves before the race,” Erickson said. “He got out on the course and just took off. I was hoping he would calm down and he stayed steady. He ran a great time and I’m proud of what he did. I’m coaching all the team but I did get to see him finish and that was cool to see.”

Jacob was third last year at regional and will make his second straight appearance at the UIL Class 4A state meet.

Teammate Ethan Ruelas came in clutch to back up Erickson with an 11th place overall finish running a 16:29.9.

As for last year’s state champion Canyon, the Eagles placed three runners in the top 10. Domenic San Miguel took fourth place with a time of 15:52.6. Teammate Grady Simmons was fifth (15:56.8) and Bennett Weatherly came in ninth (16:19.4).

West Plains will make its second trip to the UIL state meet. The Wolves took fourth overall with 137 points. West Plains did have two individual medal winners with Noah Holland taking silver running a 15:33.9 and Robert Vartabedian earning bronze with a time of 15:44.4.

Individually, Ivan Gutierrez of Dumas punched a ticket to state with an eighth place finish (16:18.3).

Girls' cross-country team on stage wearing white shirts and medals, posing with a wooden trophy after a win. — The Canyon Lady Eagles won their third straight UIL Region I-4A cross country championship Monday. [David Erickson/ Press Pass Sports]

As expected the Canyon Lady Eagles won a third straight Region I-4A championship and are looking for a third straight UIL state championship.

Despite the weather, Canyon ran a near perfect race scoring 16 points and placed five runners in the top 10.

“One thing we pride ourselves on, is when the weather is bad we step up like it’s a nice day,” Lady Eagle cross country coach Ray Baca said. “That’s are mindset and we’ve developed that. We had an incredible day and placing five runners in the top 10 is special.”

Female runner in white and blue, bib 1010, sprinting on a wet, muddy course during a race. — Canyon’s Presli Pool won the Region I-2A individual championship Monday.

District 4-4A champion Presli Pool was her dominant self. The sophomore ran away from the field to win the individual gold medal clocking a time of 11:09.1. Pool, who finished second last year at regional, will make a second straight trip to Round Rock.

“Presli ran a great race,” Baca said. “She shows up big in special situations and brought it from the start. The entire team did and that’s why we were able to win this regional championship.”

Teammate Michaela Sharber came in fourth (11:58.7), Aubrey Holloway did her job placing fifth (12:00.1), Ella Martinez (12:02.1) was sith and Emah Quicksall was eighth (12:05.5).

Young female runners sprint through a muddy cross-country course; two in white'Lady Raiders' jerseys lead, bib numbers 1104 and 1106 visible. — Randall teammates Brooke French, from left, and Nayomi Granados both finished in the top 10 during the Region I-4A cross country championships on Monday.

Joining Canyon at the UIL state meet is rival Randall. The Lady Raiders were the team runner-up with 83 points. Nayomi Granados, Rebel Rea, Brooke French and Maren Lefever all finished in the top 10 to make that happen. Granados was seventh individually (12:07), Rea took eighth (12:10.10), French was ninth (12:11.4) and Lefever (12:12.4) rounded out the top 10.

Individually, Emily Gross of Dumas won the individual bronze medal to qualify for state with a time of 11:43.5, and West Plains runner Charleigh Jackson (12:17.4) also advanced.