On October 28, both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams competed in the 4A Region 2 meet at the Jesse Owens Memorial Complex in Dallas. Juniors Judson Greer and Lucas Tauch made it to state for the boys, and freshman Abigail Bass and senior Alison Kocsis will go to state for the girls. They will all compete on Sat., Nov. 9, at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

Athletes prepared for the regional meet by eating well, focusing on speed and resting.

“I cut back my miles per week from 65 to 43, I drank caffeinated water and chewed caffeinated gum before the race, I slept more this week, I ate more the day before the race, and I went out harder the first mile of the race rather than slower,” Lucas Tauch said.

Both teams did well with the girls placing sixth and the boys seventh. Judson placed first in the 5k with a time of 15:02, Lucas got second with a time of 15:52, Abigail got second in the 3200 with a time of 11:48, and Alison placed 14th with a time of 12:44.

“My team is amazing. Every single person gave their very best, and a lot of them PR’d. They battled down to the finish and everyone gained points in the last 200 meters,” Abigail Bass said. “I’m so thankful for the hard work and commitment the team gave this season and am so thankful for their support.”

Soon after the race the athletes found out they were headed to state and expressed their excitement.

“I felt very relieved because I have been stressing about it all season, but mainly super excited,” Alison Kocsis said.

The athletes will now prepare for the state meet in a similar way to how they prepared for the regional meet.

“For state I will continue consistently training at a high level and envision how I would like the day to go,” Judson Greer said. “I will get good sleep and stretch and roll to prevent pain and injury.”

A sendoff will be held Fri., Nov. 8, at 9:15 a.m. in the “horseshoe” (near the flag poles) at the high school.