The 2026 cross country season picked up the pace this week, with local teams from Tioga and Aubrey high schools competing in their respective district meets Monday and Tuesday morning.
The Tioga Bulldogs girls and boys cross-country teams competed at the 2A Region II District 13 Championship Meet hosted by Collinsville High School on Monday, with the varsity Lady Bulldogs placing fifth overall and the Bulldogs varsity team placing fourth overall.
“Our athletes worked hard leading up to that meet, and our district has a lot of really good competition, which surprised us a little bit once everything started, so we weren’t as successful as we hoped, but there’s a bright future ahead of us,” said Halie Martin, Tioga head cross country coach.
Another bright spot for the Bulldogs’ cross-country program on the day was sophomore Jillian Rodriguez, who placed fourth in the varsity girls 2-mile run with a time of 13:31.93, earning a spot at the upcoming regional meet.
Rodriguez said she has high hopes for her second appearance on the regional stage.
“I’m hoping to make it to State and not miss it again, because I missed it by two people,” Rodriguez said. “… I’m excited to keep working hard in preparation for regionals and earn my way to State.”
Noelle Furlong was next runner to cross the finish line for the Lady Bulldogs, placing 19th with a time of 15:36.6.
Timber Johnson placed 27th, Kloie Lange placed 30th and Kinley Hill placed 34th, rounding out the Lady Bulldogs' participants in the event.
Hayden Manzo was the top performer for the Bulldogs, finishing 11th with a time of 18:01.19, followed by Garrison Black, who placed 16th, with a time of 18:27.47.
Knox Dennis (19th), Maddux Roriguez (22nd), Bryan Santoyo-Piña (27th), Morgan Garrison (30th) and Weston Wilson (34th) rounded out the Bulldogs' runners.
The Aubrey Chaparrals girls and boys cross country teams competed at the 4A Region II District 9 Championship Meet hosted at North Lakes Park in Denton on Tuesday, with the varsity Lady Chaps finishing fourth overall and the varsity Chaps placing fifth.
Kaylee Barber was the first Lady Chap to cross the finish line, placing 17th with a time of 14:40.81, followed by Emily Paul, who placed 21st.
Kadence Covey (24th), Vivienne Kane (26th), Ava Walton (33rd) and Hannah Houghtaling (44th) rounded out the Lady Chaps’ varsity runners.
Greyson Faulk was the Chaps’ top performer, finishing 16th with a time of 18:27.21, followed by Max Cohen, who placed 26th with a time of 19:48.13.
Logan Rowell (28th), Suppanat Hanamornsate (37th) and Dillon Harper (42nd) closed out the Chaparrals varsity competitors at the event.
