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2006 NIKE South XC Invitational
Oct 7, 2006 The Woodlands, TX

on-site coverage by John Sullivan

ELITE RESULTS

MEET SUMMARY

PHOTOS

PREVIEW by John Sullivan

ENTRIES: Boys - Girls

SCHEDULE

COVERAGE LOG

PRIOR YEARS:
-2005 Hurricane Cancellation
- 2004 Inaugural Meet

MEET'S OWN SITE

SO#2 The Woodlands TX boys make a move for the top by knocking off SO#1 Southlake Carroll TX, 73-114.

Kingwood TX girls strengthened their hold on South #1 ranking by placing 5 in the top 25 for a 55-point score



South Lake Carroll's Colby Lowe

 




 

 

 

 

 











Photos by Lance Phegley / RaceShots.net



Brazoswood
High School's
Lauren Smith (61)
wins in 18:03,
South Lake Carroll's
Tara Upshaw (507)
came in third in 18:10.3

elite results

more photos

Meet Summary
by John Sullivan, South Region editor

The cross country gods were smiling on the South Region today as mid 60s temps were much lower than in recent days. Along with a drop in the humidity, these ideal conditions were certainly appreciated after last year’s meet cancellation due to Hurricane Rita.

Boys SO#2/US#14 The Woodlands TX put on a show, tallying 73 for the team crown with 5 in the top 25 and a 16:04 average. SO#1/US#13 Southlake Carroll TX took the silver with 114 and a 16:10 average. SO#3/US#25 A&M Consolidated TX was third with 130 and averaged 16:17. Strake Jesuit TX put it all together today for 4th, edging Kingwood 151-156.

The anticipated boy’s battle between the two Foot Locker finalists lived up to expectations. Southlake Carroll TX jr Colby Lowe pushed the pace early (4:34 at the mile) and then pulled away from A&M Consolidated TX sr Duncan Phillips in the last 500 meters, posting a course record 15:13.5, ahead of Phillip’s 15:20.7. The Woodlands TX sr Alex Neff ran with the 2 top dogs for much of the race and held on for 3rd in 15:23.0. Mustang OK sr Kevin Schwab went out slower and finished strongly in 15:25.4 for 4th.

Girls SO#1/US#17 Kingwood TX dominated, scoring 55 for team gold, with 5 in the top 25. They are not letting up in their bid for a third trip to Portland for Nike Team Nationals. SO#5 Cinco Ranch TX stepped it up, claiming the silver with 106, despite racing today without their expected #2. SO#2 Southlake Carroll TX captured bronze with 138 points. The Woodlands TX and Ursuline Academy TX rounded out the top 5.

Brazoswood TX soph Lauren Smith followed the lead of Southlake Carroll soph Tara Upshaw, and then took over during the 2nd half, breaking the tape in 18:03.0. Ursuline TX sr Becky Wade moved well over the last 800, posting 18:10.3 for 2nd. Upshaw held on for 3rd in 18:22.1. Giddings TX sr Michelle Guzman, the defending state 3A champ, was 4th in 18:26.0

Preview The Nike South Cross Country Invitational will be held at the Bear Branch Sports Park in The Woodlands, TX on October 7. This year’s edition features 4 nationally ranked teams, 8 of the South Region boys top 10, and 5 of 10 on the girls side.

boys preview - girls preview

Girls Elite Preview - By John Sullivan, NTN South Regional Editor
Team
SO#1/US#17 Kingwood TX, 2-time Nike Team Nationals qualifier, comes in undefeated with its biggest win at Texas A&M. SO#2 Southlake Carroll TX, another 2-time NTN-er, was runner-up at Texas A&M and is approaching full-strength with the return of key team members. SO#4 Clear Lake TX, winner of low-key meets recently, has great depth and a strong pack. SO#5 Cinco Ranch TX has topped the fields at The Woodlands, Rice and Spring Branch. SO#7 A&M Consolidated TX, Rogers AR, The Woodlands TX, Ursuline Academy TX, Bishop McGuinness OK and Vista Ridge TX have all had bright moments this season and will battle for top 10 spots.

Individual
Brazoswood TX soph Lauren Smith, a relative unknown until bursting on the scene with a silver medal effort at Texas A&M, will be hard to beat. Southlake Carroll soph Tara Upshaw, NTN 23rd and Foot Locker South #10 returnee, will look to improve upon her Texas A&M bronze. Giddings TX sr Michelle Guzman, defending state 3A champ and Texas A&M 4th, is a veteran who may thrive in this meet. She also won the Friday Night Lights on this course earlier this season. Vista Ridge TX fr Ashley Isham, with victories at Austin ISD, UTSA and Klein, continues to make her mark. Others who could finish near the front include Cinco Ranch TX soph Itzel Cetina, Kingwood jr Kristen Hanselka, McAllen Memorial TX soph Tricia Terry, The Woodlands TX sr Adrienne DiRaddo, Rogers AR soph Courtney Efurd, Ursuline TX sr Becky Wade and Flower Mound TX jr Allie Wyatt.

Boys Elite Preview - by John Sullivan, NTN South Regional Editor

Team
The team title appears to be up for grabs. Many of the squads have raced at less than full-strength, dealing with the expected aches, pains and rest that go along with the sport. SO#1/US#13 Southlake Carroll TX moved to the top of the heap based on its winning effort against many of these same schools at the Texas A&M Invite. Led by jr Colby Lowe, a key will be whether or not sr Chris Moore is able to toe the line after missing several meets. SO#2/US#14 The Woodlands TX, the host school and 2004 champ (2005 was cancelled due to Hurricane Rita), was just 1 point back at Texas A&M, and the home course advantage may come into play. SO#3/US#25 A&M Consolidated TX, with front-running sr Duncan Phillips, was a close 3rd at Texas A&M, and has now added another strong performer. SO#4 Kingwood TX, a previous South #1, has a tight pack which is looking to move up. SO#6 Cedar Park TX and SO#7 Vista Ridge TX, both located in Cedar Park, have already met a few times. SO#9 Rogers AR, winner of last week’s Cowboy Jamboree, is undefeated. SO#10 Mayde Creek TX has been hampered recently by injuries. Jesuit LA and Mustang OK are other strong teams from out-of-state.

Individual
Two Foot Locker finalists headline this high-quality field. A&M Consolidated TX sr Duncan Phillips won the Texas 5A title last year before qualifying for San Diego, and claimed the state 1600 crown. Southlake Carroll TX jr Colby Lowe, 30th at NTN as a freshman, is the #9 Foot Locker returnee and state 3200 champ in a PR 9:05. Expect him to push the pace. Mustang OK sr Kevin Schwab, a 2-time state champ, had a course-record win at the OSU Cowboy Jamboree. Jesuit LA sr Brett Guidry and Rogers AR jr Aaron Hamilton are their respective state’s top returnees. The Woodlands TX sr Alex Neff, Vista Ridge TX sr Travis Fort, Cinco Ranch TX jr Zac Flowers and Southlake Carroll soph CJ Brown have top 10 potential. Strake Jesuit TX sr Greg Casar, Flower Mound TX sr Nathan Milles and Mansfield TX sr Joey Manning should be in the mix.

Entries

TOP BOYS
SO#1/US#13 Southlake Carroll TX
SO#2/US#14 The Woodlands TX
SO#3/US#25 A&M Consolidated TX
SO#4 Kingwood TX
SO#6 Cedar Park TX
SO#7 Vista Ridge TX
SO#9 Rogers AR
SO#10 Mayde Creek TX
Cinco Ranch TX
Flower Mound TX
Ft Worth North Side
Lockhart TX
Strake Jesuit TX
Jesuit LA (state #2)
Mustang OK (state #4 with Kevin Schwab)


TOP GIRLS
SO#1/US#17 Kingwood TX
SO#2 Southlake Carroll TX
SO#4 Clear Lake TX
SO#5 Cinco Ranch TX
SO#7 A&M Consolidated TX
Belton TX
Giddings TX
Ursuline TX
Vista Ridge TX
Woodlands TX
Rogers AR (state #2)
Bishop McGuiness OK (state 4A #1)

Schedule -

Friday, October 6, 2006

  • 7th & 8th Grade Races 5:00 pm thru 5:50 pm
  • Open Race 6:30 pm & 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 7, 2006
There will be no warm ups allowed on the course after 7:50 am. We want to preserve the running surface as much as possible.
  • Varsity Elite (Boys) 5k - 8:00 am
  • Varsity Elite (Girls) 5k - 8:30 am
  • Varsity (Boys) 5k - 9:00 am
  • Varsity (Girls) 5k - 9:30 am
  • JV I (Boys) 5k - 10:00 am
  • JV II (Boys) 5k - 10:30 am
  • Varsity (Girls) 2mi - 11:00 am
  • JV I (Girls) 2mi - 11:30 am
  • JV II (Girls) 2mi - 12:00 pm
  • Freshmen (Boys only) 2mi - 12:30 am

Award Presentation 1:00pm

 

 
  

 

Photos by Lance Phegley / RaceShots.net

Girls Start - Brazoswood HS's Lauren Smith (61) - South Lake Carroll's Tara Upshaw (507)

A&M Consolidated's Duncan Phillips (613) - Boys Start - The Woodlands' Alex Neff (1297)


Coverage Log

  • 10/9/06 Meet Summary by John Sullivan
  • 10/7/06 Photos
  • 10/7/06 Results
  • 10/6/06 Preview by John Sullivan
  • 10/4/06 Schedule
  • 10/4/06 Leading Team Entries BOYS - GIRLS


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