The Lockhart Lions—coached by Ready to Run’s very own Scott Hippensteel—will be making their 23rd state meet appearance in the past 34 seasons!
Next weekend, on Friday November 3 and Saturday November 4, more than 1,200 of the best high school cross country runners in Texas will gather at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock for the UIL Cross Country State Championships. The top four teams and the top 10 individuals (who are not already on an advancing team) qualify from regionals to the state meet. Central Texas is well represented, especially in the 5A-6A divisions. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the individuals and athletes to watch for.
In the 6A boys division, Austin Bowie; Austin Vandegrift; and Round Rock teams will all be competing. For 6A boys, keep an eye on individual competitors Drew Campbell and Ben Wright (Austin Lake Travis) Andrew Bachl and Ben Hamilton (Austin Westlake); James Butler (Del Valle); and Colby Huntress (Anderson).
In the 6A girls division, teams from Austin Vandegrift; Dripping Springs; Austin Lake Travis; and Austin Bowie are all going. Individual girls competing include Ava Linnell (Austin Akins); Emma Wade (Cedar Park Vista Ridge); and Micah Mizell (Round Rock Stony Point).
In 5A, let’s hear it for the Lockhart boys team. The Lions—coached by Ready to Run’s very own Scott Hippensteel—will be making their 23rd state meet appearance in the past 34 seasons! Georgetown is another frequent state competitor, and both the boys and the girls teams are competing.
Also in 5A (individuals), keep an eye out for a pair of seniors from Leander Rouse. Edwin Rotich ran 15:43 followed by Michael Lopez in 16:04 at the Region 4 meet on October 23. For individual girls, freshman JJ Arellano of Leander Rouse (18:41) and Cedar Park’s Isabel Conde De Frankenberg (18:57) placed in the top five in the same meet and will be going to state.
The state cross country meet is the pinnacle of high school running and represents a huge accomplishment for teams and individuals, whether they make it to the podium or not. If they do, awards are as follows: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams- trophy + 8 medals (7 runners and 1 coach); Top 10 individuals- medals.
Upcoming Races: Saturday, November 4 at 8:00 a.m., the Wurst 5 Mile Run at Landa Park, New Braunfels. Sunday, November 5 at 7:00 a.m. the Run for the Water 10 Miler downtown Austin at Cesar Chavez. Saturday, November 11 at 7:30 .m., the New Braunfels Half Marathon, 10K-5K at the Stars and Stripes Drive-In Theater in New Braunfels.
