By Kevin Lonnquist
NTX Varsity Sports Columnist
Their exhausted expressions crossing the finish line range from gratefulness that the race has finished to the excitement that their efforts persevered through the course’s challenges to a sense of fulfillment knowing that their season has one more race to run.
These are the few cross country runners from the NTX Varsity Sports coverage landscape who have been rewarded for countless months and years of miles logged, strategies rehearsed, and styles adopted to help them reach their dream: the UIL state championship meet.
Earlier this week, several area teams and individuals earned their trips to Central Texas thanks to immeasurable efforts recorded at regional meets in Lubbock (Region I), Arlington (Region II) and Huntsville (Region III). They were either one of the top four teams or top 20 individuals who qualified running through a 5K or two-mile challenge.
The state competition is Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Whether these athletes will have what it takes to reach the podium on either of those two days will depend on the competition, whether the course is fast or slow, navigating through packs of other runners, the weather or simply how they feel.
Let’s recognize those who will soon compete on the grandest stage:
Aledo boys and girls: Head coach Miker Pinkerton has built a juggernaut in Eastern Parker County. The girls team won the Class 5A Region I title again at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock. The boys were second. It was their highest showing ever. These teams also featured the regional champions. Senior Molly Garrison (18:07) stood at the top of the podium for the girls. Junior Tyler Connelly (15:28) won gold for the boys.
Cleburne’s Jessilyn Wurster and Nico Flores: The Cleburne girls placed 10th out of 24 teams at the 5A Region I meet. However, Wurster, a junior who has put together an outstanding season, found that drive and to finish eighth (19:20). Flores, a sophomore, may be scratching the surface of his talent. He finished 19th (16:56).
Granbury’s Gannon Dolan: At one point, Dolan was the individual champion in his first three meets this fall. It turned out to be a special season for the senior. He finished eighth (16:13) in the 5A Region I meet.
Mildred’s David Villanueva: The senior liked running in Round Rock so much in 2024, he’s going back for seconds. One of the best small-school runners in Central Texas is returning to Round Rock. He placed eighth in the Class 2A Region III meet (18:16) at Kate Barr Ross Memorial Park.
Paradise’s Taryn Stoltz and Allie McCormick: In what hopes to be a resurgence of this girls program, Stoltz, a freshman, and McCormick, a sophomore, both qualified with Top 10 finishes at the Class 3A Region II meet at Arlington’s Harold Patterson Sports Complex. Stoltz finished fifth (12:25). McCormick finished eighth (12:32) and is returning to the state meet after competing as a freshman in 2024.
Decatur’s Tate Clackler, Maddyx Coffman and Reagan Nicks: This trio continues to pound the ground. Clackler, a senior, qualified finishing 18th at the Class 4A Region I meet (16:33). Meanwhile Coffman, a sophomore, and Nicks, a junior who is returning to the state meet, will ride with Clackler to Round Rock. Coffman placed 15th (12:23) and Nicks finished 18th (12:27). The Decatur girls team just missed advancing by six points.
Springtown’s Madelyn Walker: This dynamic sophomore, who won the District 7-4A individual championship, continues to shine. She finished 12th (12:08) at the Region I meet.
Weatherford’s Remington Boone: What does this junior do for an encore? Why return to Round Rock, of course, for another chance to run at state. Boone put together another fantastic performance at the Class 6A Region I meet. She finished fifth (18:20).
The 3A and 5A competitors run on Friday, Oct. 31. The 2A and 4A runners take their turn on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Here’s to their health and their best efforts when they leave the starting gate.