Photo Credit: CFISDNews
Bridgeland HS girls’ cross country team wins Class 6A state title
The Bridgeland High School girls’ cross country team placed first overall at the UIL Cross Country State Championships on Nov. 1 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
The Bears scored 38 points to take home the first team cross country state championship in Bridgeland and CFISD history while also breaking Flower Mound High School’s six-year championship run. Bridgeland was led by senior Rowan Saacke (5th, 17:40.00), junior Hope Smith (6th, 17:44.60), senior Susan Rawls (9th, 17:59.90), senior Alexandra Montgomery (22nd, 18:23.10), senior Haley Hill (27th, 18:29.20), junior Kate Garrison (35th, 18:34.40) and junior Brynlee Weston (77th, 19:10.60).
“I’m extremely proud of the girls for stepping up on the biggest stage,” said Tom Kennedy, Bridgeland head girls’ cross country coach. “They beat a nationally ranked Flower Mound team by executing the race plan perfectly. This is a really special group that made school and district history by earning the first cross country state title at Bridgeland and in CFISD.”
Also competing at the UIL Cross Country State Championships were the Bridgeland boys, who placed third overall as a team, marking the second consecutive year the Bears made the podium. The Bears were led by senior Griffen Saacke, who earned an individual bronze medal (14:52.30). Also racing for Bridgeland were senior Layton Carlisle (16th, 15:31.00), junior Patricio Navarro (26th, 15:41.00), junior Dean Rosales (60th, 16:01.70), senior Kyle Pawlak (62nd, 16:02.90) and senior Maddox McCallister (92nd, 16:19.80).
“The entire Bridgeland boys’ cross country program and I are extremely excited for the success of Coach Kennedy and the girls’ team for winning the state championship for the first time in CFISD history,” said Kevin Waters, Bridgeland boys’ head cross country coach. “We had the same goal this year and while we are disappointed by the end result, we are extremely proud of being on the podium for the second year in a row in third place. I am extremely proud of the guys and their efforts throughout the season, and we still have the Nike Cross series of races to go where we will try to qualify for the national championship meet. We are also extremely grateful for all the support that the Bridgeland and CFISD communities have given us throughout the season and can’t wait to give it another go next year.”
Cypress Woods High School senior Laney Barnes earned an individual silver medal at the UIL Cross Country State Championships (17:09.60). Barnes was the District 16-6A and Region II-6A individual champion heading into the state championship race.
“I was just thrilled to see Laney have the season that she has had and to see her finish second at state was just tremendous,” said Greg Zarate, Cypress Woods head cross country coach. “I’m so proud of Laney. Seeing her put in the work daily and just being a great example to her teammates was rewarding and refreshing. Laney’s 212 attitude and effort put her in a position to be successful and just seeing the hard work pay off was so awesome. Her season is by far one of the greatest in our cross country program here at Cy Woods.”
Cypress Creek High School senior Joaquin Miranda made his second state appearance and posted a time of 16:01.40 to finish 59th. Cypress Lakes High School senior Aden Ortega advanced to the state meet for the first time and finished with a time of 16:13.20, earning 79th place and setting a new Cypress Lakes school record.
“I’m so impressed with the cross country teams of CFISD,” said Mike McEachern, CFISD athletic director. “I know the time and training it takes for runners and understand their commitment to their sport. The cross country coaches are so dedicated to their sport and their athletes, and it really showed on the biggest stage. Winning state championships is hard in any state, but especially hard in the state of Texas.”
Source: CFISD
