Regional Cross Country
DALLAS — Teams from Hopkins County did well in UIL Cross Country Competition held Monday at the Jesse Owens Athletic Complex. Miller Grove, Saltillo, Sulphur Bluff, North Hopkins and Como-Pickton had athletes advance to the Nov. 9 state meet in Round Rock.
“We are pleased with the results of the regional race. Our kids have been working on a few specific things for the past 4-5 weeks and it was nice to see them put it into the race. This time of year there is very little you can do to change your fitness so for the next week we will be really working on fine tuning a few things that we need to improve on technique wise for the state meet. We are excited for the opportunity to be able to run for a state championship next weekend,” said Gary Billinsley, Miller Grove athletic director.
Teams from Sulphur Springs, Yantis, North Hopkins and Sulphur Bluff also had representatives in action at the race.
In UIL Region 3 Class 1A girls action, Miller Grove won the team title with 31 points. Saltillo was third with 129 points, and Sulphur Bluff took 12th place. Miller Grove took the top two places with Jorja Bessonett blistering the first to take first with a time of 11:50; second went to Lady Hornet Kyli Melton, who turned in a time of 12:14. Bailey Neal, a Sulphur Bluff runner, took third at 12:23 qualifying for state. Other times and places include:
• 4. Jolee Fox, MIller Grove, 12:35;
• 11. Kylee Saldana, Miller Grove, 13:03;
• 17. Lauren Bullard, Miller Grove, 13:23;
• 21. Reagan Speir, Saltillo, 13:36;
• 26. Alley Collett, Sulphur Bluff, 13:54;
• 32. Yadirra Alonso, Saltillo, 14:08;
• 34. Brianna Tawll, Saltillo, 14:10;
• 49. Jada Wade, Sulphur Bluff, 14:31;
• 50. Makensa Morris, Saltillo, 14:34;
• 68. Jocelyn Ochoa, Saltillo, 14:55;
• 78. Ofelia Cabrera, Saltillo, 15:18;
• 100. Bryleigh Hurley, Yantis, 15:53;
• 138. Dalena Wilkins, Sulphur Bluff, 17:58; and
• 147. Angel Brown, Sulphur Bluff, 19:43.
“The Saltillo girls, the last three years have been third or fourth at regional. The last three years our top finish was Siena Collins. Our girls relied on her to get us to state, this years’ team accomplished a lot to get to state without a top tier runner,” said Bill Giles, Saltillo cross country coach.
In the Class 1A Region 3 boys race, Miller Grove was first and Saltillo was the runner-up, both advancing to state. Miller Grove and Saltillo had the top seven times in the race. Miller Grove’s Isaiah Billingsley won the race with a first place time of 15:20, edging out teammate Kobe Robertson’s time of 15:45. Third went to Saltillo’s Garrett Tarver, timed at 16:10; Miller Grove runner Lance Verner Davis was fourth, timed at 16:39; taking fifth with a time of 16:52 was Riley Hasten of Miller Grove; Tanner Hensley of Miller Grove was seventh, timed at 16:55. Other times and places included:
• 9. Gunner Tarver, Saltillo, 17:04;
• 11. Coy Collins, Saltillo, 17:14;
• 13. Lexton Sly, Miller Grove, 17:31;
• 14. Anthony Lester, Miller Grove, 17:31.23;
• 17. Jayden Holloway, Saltillo, 17:42;
• 20. Beckham Hoover, Saltillo, 17:58;
• 57. Trayton South, Sulphur Bluff, 20:04;
• 59. Montana Hurley, Sulphur Bluff, 20:06;
• 111. Shane Johnson, Sulphur Bluff, 21:49;
• 127. Brandon Branon, Sulphur Bluff, 22:49;
• 132. Blake Hume, Sulphur Bluff, 23:24; and
• 137. Andrew Carter, Sulphur Bluff, 23:56.
“A 17-minute average is really good, with that time a team will win regional. Unfortunately we are in the same region as Miler Grove, and they are very good in any classification,” Giles said.
Como-Pickton also has a team advancing to the state meet. The Lady Eagles finished fourth in Class 2A competition Monday, earning 179 points and a state berth. Lexi Busby led the team with an 11th place finish with a time of 13:02; Bailey Neal was 38th, timed at 13:57; Shelby Speed was 44th, timed at 14:04; 49th place went to Kara Tifft, 14:15; Hannah Warren was 56th, timed at 14:22; Aylin Gonzalez was 65th with a time of 14:28; and Breanna Warren was timed at 15:26, in 111th place.
“We are so very proud of the Como-Pickton girls, they have been very dedicated. We now have to prepare for state in hopes of representing Como-Pickton proudly,” said coach Dee Evans.
North Hopkins also had three runners competing in the Class 2A event. Jonathan Hatley was ninth with a time of 17:10 and will advance to state. Mario Perez took 18th, timed at 17:41; and Braulio Alvarez was 35th, turning in a time of 18:25.
The Sulphur Springs girls finished 17th overall, and Wildcats were 18th in Class 5A regional competition. Sulphur Springs boys places, times:
• 23. Christian Palomino, 16:20;
• 80. Jose Mejia, 17:13;
• 117. Camden Fuller, 17:46;
• 148. Price Griggs, 18:33;
• 152. Evan Patrick, 18:43;
• 154. Alex Flecker, 18:46; and
• 167. Chase Berry, 19:41.
Sulphur Springs girls places, times:
• 75. Mattie Bridges, 21:02;
• 94. Laney Hurst, 21:39;
• 95. Maurie Flecker, 21:41;
• 110. Kenia Herrera, 22:09;
• 123. Sydney Washburn, 22:39;
• 131. Makayla Jimmerson, 22:46; and
• 143. Ashley Noe, 23:26.