On Friday, Oct. 30, the boys and girls cross country teams competed at the UIL 4A District 9 Cross Country Championship at Old Celina Park. The district meet is the first step in getting to state, which is where the boys hope to end.

The boys team became the district champs, securing their team a place at regionals.

“The team took 1st place with 29 points total, 2nd place had 70 points,” senior Lucas Tauch said.

Senior Judson Greer took first place at the meet with a time of 15:37 for his three-mile run, earning the honor of district champ once again.

“The meet went well,” Greer said “I was able to come away with the win and my fourth district title.”

Greer is also preparing for a race at the national level in the time between regionals and state.

“I will be competing in a meet between Region and State in Terre Haute, Indiana, at the famed LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course,” Greer said. “I am excited to race against some national level competition there and to get the legs moving in a fast race before state.”

The girls team finished in third place overall. Sophomore Abigail Bass came in second with a time of 11:21 on her two-mile course. This means she will also advance to the regional meet.

“To prepare for regionals I’m just going to keep working hard and focus on rest and recovery as well,” Bass said.

The boys team spent all season preparing for this district race and the ones to come so they can get to state.

“I prepared for the district race by holding myself accountable with my training and putting the team first over myself,” senior Alex Branscome said.

The team will continue to train for the regional meet so they can secure a place at the state meet.

“The only way to prepare for regionals is to keep running and keep our mind straight,” junior Tristen Weaver said.

Runners are confident for the rest of their season and hope to compete well in Austin.

“I think the rest of our season is plain and simple,” Tauch said. “Take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd as individuals at regionals, take 1st as a team. Then once we are at state, win the whole dang thing like we’ve trained for.”