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| Texas
A&M Invitational Week Ending September 10th College Station, TX By Regional Editor, John Sullivan |
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This was the first clash of schools from around the state including top teams from the Houston, Dallas, and South Texas areas. Ranked South Region teams were entered in both the boys and girls Seeded races. The course was new having moved to the universityís Penberthy Intramural Complex from its previous golf course location. The 5000m course was flat, all grass footing, and the ground was firm. The weather was nice for early September, cooler and less humid than last year. All-in-all the conditions looked promising for fast times. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN SULLIVAN Boys In the last couple of weeks King had easily won two meets, Kingwood had won its own invite over A&M, and Cinco Ranch had won the Woodlands Invite over the host school so they appeared to be the hot teams. Southlake Carroll soph Colby Lowe (#1 state returner, 30th at NTN) went hard from the gun and established an early gap over The Woodlands sr Daniel Gerber (#13 state returner, 4:17/9:10 PRs) and A&M Consolidated jr Duncan Phillips (#4 state returner, 4:10/9:18 PRs). Lowe, much shorter than the 6 foot+ Gerber and Phillips, came through mile 1 in a brisk 4:34 with Gerber and Phillips at 4:38. Kingwood, Cinco Ranch, A&M and The Woodlands were looking good at this point while King was noticeably missing. Lowe was still pulling away at 1.5 miles while Edinburgh North sr Omar Doria had joined Gerber and Phillips. Lowe continued to press and was all alone in 9:37 through 2 miles. Gerber was 2nd in 9:50 followed by Phillips in 9:54 and Doria at 9:55. In the team battle Kingwood and Cinco Ranch were in the hunt along with King which was making its presence known. Colby Lowe pulls away for the victory in the 5A Division race. Colby Lowe never faltered and made a strong statement with his victory over this top-notch field in 14:38. Daniel Gerber finished 2nd in 14:55. King sr Ari Perez (#7 state returner) moved up throughout the race to come in 3rd in 15:03 followed by Duncan Phillips in 15:07. Woodlands senior Daniel Gerber (See Gerber's
Blogger) comes in for 2nd
place. The team title appeared to be a close one between an aggressive from the gun Cinco Ranch team and a fast closing King squad. And indeed it was as King prevailed 90-95. It was tight through the first 4 for each team, but Kingís 5th man in 35th over Cinco Ranchís in 43rd was the difference. Kingwood ended up 3rd with 121, A&M 4th with 134 and The Woodlands 5th with 161. Ari Perez (Corpus Christi King) helps the Mustangs take the title with
his 3rd place finish.
Southlake Carroll sr Miranda Walker (#2 state returner, NTN 14th, Foot Locker finalist, 4:53/10:32 PRs) was out quickly. Her closest pursuers at the 800 were teammate sr Brooke Upshaw (#1 state returner, NTN 11th, Foot Locker finalist, 4:53/10:38 PRs) and Kingwood sr Danielle Selner (#7 state returner, NTN 36th, 4:54/10:36 PRs). Southlake's Brooke Upshaw, followed by Cedar Parks Katie Weise, and
Kingwood's Danielle Selner in the background. At the mile it was all Walker in 5:20 followed by Upshaw in 5:26, Selner in 5:29 and Cedar Park sr Katie Weise (#22 state returner) in 5:30. Teamwise Carrollís 1-2 start was promising while Kingwood had a tight pack not too far behind Selner. At 2 miles Walker was still in command in 11:07 followed by Upshaw and Weise at 11:24, Selner in 11:27 and Upshaw's freshman sister Tara holding 5th in 11:36. Carroll sr Morgan Kuykendall (#8 state returner based on 3A time, 11:08 PR) was next with a large pack of Kingwood girls among the closest pursuers. The Carroll team was in the driver's seat with Kingwood needing a big finish to win the team title.Miranda Walker looked great all the way to the tape to capture the individual crown in a fine 16:59. Katie Weise ran well the last 800 to take 2nd in 17:26. Brooke Upshaw held on to 3rd in 17:32 followed by Danielle Selner in 17:41 and Tara Upshaw 5th in 18:08. Southlake Carroll's Miranda Walker with 800 meters to go in her victory. Southlake Carroll with 4 in the top 6 took the team trophy with 30 points. Kingwood with 4 in the top 13 was a clear 2nd with 55. Cedar Park edged Cinco Ranch 80-82 for 3rd on the strength of Weiseís runner-up finish. Girls 5A/4A Division Champions, Southlake Carroll |
DyeStat |
John Dye - founder and editor in chief |
