2006 Texas State Meet Recap - 1A-3A
Saturday, November 11, 2006 Old Settlers Park, Round Rock TX
by John Sullivan, NTN South region editor
- 3A Boys - 2A Boys - 1A Boys - - 3A Girls - 2A Girls - 1A Girls -
3A BOYS:
Mitchell Driver 1st
| | Logan Smart, leading the 1st mile, earned silver | 
| |  | | photos Bert Richardson | | |
Princeton sr Mitchell Driver was the top returnee based on his 5th-place finish, and he lived up to it with a 16:01.80 clocking for individual honors. Decatur’s Scott Harrison was next in 16:11.65, while Needville sr Logan Smart was 3rd in 16:17.85.
The team chase was oh so close, with Decatur scoring 48 (1-6-7-15-19) with a 16:49 average, to nip Hudson with 49 (3-4-12-14-16) and a 16:52 average. Canyon, ranked #1 in the Texas Coaches poll, earned the bronze with 73.
3A GIRLS:
Catherine Loden 1st
| | An exhausted Michelle Guzman, the defending champ, finished 3rd
|  | |  | | photos Bert Richardson | | |
The individual field was loaded, including Giddings sr Michelle Guzman, the defending champ and Canyon sr Lauren Simpson, the silver medalist last year and a 3-time state 800 champ. But it was talented White Oak jr Catherine Loden, “just” 6th last year, who stole the show, clocking 11:11.40. Luling soph Alma Salinas, 4th last year, earned silver in 11:19.65 and Michelle Guzman took the bronze in 11:26.70.
Canyon, which spent most of the season as #1 in the Texas coaches poll, captured the team title with 49 points with 4 in the top 14 and an 11:58 average. Giddings scored 70 to place 2nd, and Decatur was 3rd with 125 points.
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2A BOYS:
Wall 1st
|  | | photo John Sullivan |
Cody Hughes, 1st
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| | photo Bert Richardson |
Anna jr Cody Hughes, 10th in 2005, ran an impressive 15:46.30 for the win. Hawley sr Brendon Bounds earned silver in 16:02.90, with Yorktown’s Ethan Wagner claiming bronze in 16:23.65.
Wall, ranked #1 in the state coaches poll, captured the team title with 46 points, ahead of Brazos with 90 and Comfort with 135. Coach Dan Shannahan said, “We were 2nd last year, and had some freshman really make a difference this year. I also had a senior who had never run cross country before (had run track) and he started out in the back at the beginning of the year and ended up as my #1. I’ve been coaching at the high school level at Wall since 1997. Before that I coached at Ranger and at Garden City community colleges. |
2A GIRLS:
Shallowater 1st
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| | photo John Sullivan |
Addison Le Master left it all on the course
| | |  | |  | | photos Bert Richardson | | |
Tulia sr Addison Le Master, the 2005 runner-up, left it all on the course, visibly spent while crossing the line in 11:37.10 for gold. Shallowater sr Sarah De Los Santos was 2nd in 11:44.05.
Shallowater tallied 67 for the team title, ahead of Wall with 88 and Ballinger with 102. Coach T'Linda Taylor said, “We had 3 in the top 20, and 5 under 12:45 so I’m real proud of them for that. It was exciting to win Region, but this is the icing on the cake. This is the 5th time we’ve been to State, but our 1st title” |
1A BOYS:
| Hart 1st | 
| photo John Sullivan
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Dillion WIlliams wins
| | (l to r) Dillion Williams 1st, Jason Hamilton 2nd, Ryan Wise 3rd
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photo John Sullivan
| photo Bert Richardson
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Santo sr Dillion Williams broke the tape in 16:00.35, ahead of Big Sandy fr Jason Hamilton in 16:10.85 and Evadale sr Ryan Wise in 16:25.15.
Hart, ranked #1 in the recent coaches poll, had beaten TX#2 Boys Ranch, the 2005 2A champ, at Region I. So it was no surprise when Hart scored just 37 for the team trophy, with Big Sandy nabbing 2nd with 100 and North Hopkins 3rd with 114.
Hart Coach Eric Montemayor said, “We were 2nd last year and that was the fire under the boys all year. We’ll lose our 1-2-4 (seniors), but plan to be back.” |
1A GIRLS:
Two in a row for Sundown, the "Lady Roughnecks"
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| | photo John Sullivan |
Chelsea Hermes 1st
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| | photo Bert Richardson |
Lindsay jr Chelsea Hermes, the 2006 winner, struck gold again, clocking 11:34.9, holding off Crosbyton’s Kyra Sloan in 11:36.4.
Sundown, the defending champ and ranked #1 in the latest coaches poll, captured team gold with 70 points, followed by Farwell with 105 and Lindsay with 107. Coach Paul Darden said, “Last year was our first title ever, and we had 3 of the top 5 back. We’re so team-oriented and run close together. It was a good day for us.” |
Texas State Meet Index |
