The Canyon teams weren’t the only ones making memories at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock during the UIL state cross country meet on Friday and Saturday.
The tradition-rich Randall Lady Raiders had a stellar showing under legendary head coach Rebekah James. Randall scored 77 points to find the medal stand at second overall as a team and carry on a program that has been one of the best in the Texas Panhandle.
The Lady Raiders had three runners place in the top 20, highlighted by Brooke French. It came down to the final 100-meters, however, French was able to hold off Canyon’s Presli Pool for second place to grab a silver medal, clocking a time of 11:15.1. Following French’s amazing performance was Rebel Rhea. Rhea came in fourth overall with a time of 11:19.30 and Nayomi Granados placed 20th overall (11:55).
The rest of this story is only for subscribers.
Making the programs first appearance, the West Plains Lady Wolves finished seventh overall with 198 points. Charleigh Jackson paced West Plains with a 41st place finish (12:15.1).
Individually, Emily Gross of Dumas left her mark in Round Rock. The sophomore ran a very strong race, getting sixth overall thanks to a time of 11:21.
On the boys side of Class 4A, the Perryton Rangers were making their first appearance since 2020. The Rangers showed just how talented they can be, placing sixth overall with 180 points. Sophomore Jacob Erickson left his mark and had quite the end to a great season. Erickson led the Rangers, finishing in the top five at fourth overall with a new school-record time of 15:28.4. The previous school mark was 16:20.
The Gruver Greyhound cross country teams highlighted the Class 2A meet Saturday with both finding the podium by the end of the race.
The Lady Hounds capped off a tremendous season with a second place finish, scoring 102 points. Hamilton was the team state champion with 65 points, and Clarendon came in fourth registering 148 points.
Gruver’s Paisley Quirk and Halle McLain came up clutch for her team with an 18th place finish, running a 12:22.2, and McLain was 19th (12:26.5).
Farwell’s Alexis Wade placed in the top 10, earning seventh overall (12:00.1), with teammate Ava Jaime placing 16th (12:19.5). Clarendon’s Madelyn Benson took 17th overall with a 12:21.6, and Wellington’s Taytum Kane was 21st (12:36.3).
The Gruver Greyhounds finished third overall to get on the stand with a bronze medal totaling 126 points. Windthorst was the state champion (106).
Gustavo Quintana paced the Greyhounds finishing 22nd overall (17:33.8). Teammate Austin Baca was 29th (17:46.4).
Farwell’s Josiah Lopez had an impressive race, placing ninth with a 16:55.2. Kellen Henderson of Sanford-Fritch was 16th (17:21.3).
Friday’s recap
Friday wasn’t quite the highlight day as Saturday was for the Texas Panhandle and South Plains, but there were still some very good performances.
Leading Friday was Canadian’s Joseph Dominguez. During the UIL Class 3A state meet, Dominguez won a bronze medal getting third place in the race, running a very good time of 15:51.8. Lubbock Roosevelt’s Billy Bond came in 15th (16:27.6).
During the girls side of the meet, the Dalhart Lady Wolves placed 12th as a team with 299 points. Leading Dalhart was Victoria Terrazas. Terrazas took 11th overall with a 12:02.4.
During the UIL Class 5A meet, Lubbock High’s Amelia Anderson made it in the top 10 getting ninth with a time of 18:15.8. On the boys side, Arturo Rodriguez of Lubbock High was 23rd (16:06.3) and Palo Duro’s Abdihafit Mohamed came in 50th (16:26.8).
In Class 1A, the Texline Lady Tornadoes were fourth overall with 140 points. Happy’s Kyla Slaughter, Texline’s Samantha Young and Claude’s Shaelee Brannon all placed in the top 10. Slaughter came in fifth clocking a 12:09.3. Texline’s Young was right behind Slaughter in sixth (12:09.3) and Brannon was seventh (12:09.7). White Deer’s Makayla Chaney rounded out the top 10 by taking 10th (12:22.20).
In boys action, Boys Ranch was sixth overall as a team (202 points). Valley’s Micah Ferrell did get in the top 10 taking ninth (17:21) and Booker’s Gael Alvarez was 23rd (17:51.4).
Check out the results
For a look at the full results from the UIL state cross country meet, please visit https://live.runfarusa.com/meets/58145