THE PLAYMAKERS: The Final Stretch powered by UTMB Health

Chris Creedon, Clear Creek Boys Track & Field

This Spring has seen numerous athletes from Clear Creek ISD surge, but none more so than Chris Creedon.

After reaching the Regional Meet in 2023, in which he competed in the 800m event, and running in the UIL State Cross Country Meet in the Fall, the Clear Creek junior proceeded to expand upon that by entering this year's 1600 meter run.

Lo and behold, Creedon would claim gold this past weekend, with an astounding time of 4:14.51 -- an entire second before the No. 2 finisher -- which punches his ticket to the UIL State Meet.

As one of the Wildcats' most premier long-distance runners, Creedon's exceptional endurance will give him a genuine opportunity to be a contender for the state title in May.

Madison Peters, Pearland Girls Track & Field

It's no secret that Madison Peters is one of the most elite long-distance runners in the state, much less Houston.

She's no stranger to state-wide competition, as she placed in the top-10 of last year's UIL 1600m and 3200m races, prior to claiming bronze in the 2023 UIL State Cross Country Meet which earned her back-to-back All-Greater Houston Girls XC Runner of the Year honors.

The senior Texas A&M-signee followed that up by placing first in the Region III-6A 3200m event (10:35.05), which puts her right back in the fold of competing for a state championship.

In her final season with Pearland, Peters could very well claim the gold medal she's been within arm's length of throughout her illustrious high school career.

Brandon Schirck, Friendswood Boys Track & Field

Just like several others on this list, Friendswood's Brandon Schirck is plenty familiar with what it take to reach the State Meet.

After all, the senior Mustang finished second overall in last year's UIL-5A Shot Put event.

Months later, Schirck would ultimately seal his chance to continue his athletic career in college when he signed with the University of Texas this past October.

Most recently, however, the soon-to-be Longhorn took gold and silver in the Region III-5A Shot Put (64-00.00) and Discus (180-02.00) events, respectively.

It seems like fate that his last high school throws will be taking place on the very same venue (Mike A. Myers Track Stadium) he'll be spending his a significant portion of his collegiate career on.

Mackenzie Collins, Shadow Creek Girls Track & Field

What a season it has been for the Shadow Creek girls track & field program!

After dominating in the Area Meet, the Sharks would follow that up by having an equally commanding performance at Turner Stadium this past weekend, which saw them claim the Region III-6A title.

Junior Mackenzie Collins played a starring role in said acquisition, as she placed first in the 300m Hurdles with a swift time of 42.50 seconds.

Furthermore, Collins was a key contributor to the Shadow Creek relay team, which won the 4x100m (45.72 s) and 4x400m (3:49.04) events, while also finished in the No. 2 spot of the 4x200m race.

The Sharks relat team took gold in last year's 4x400 race, and if their performance at Regionals is any indication, they have a strong chance at making it back-to-back.

Ashtyn Lewis, Iowa Colony Girls Track & Field

Ashtyn Lewis is back at it again!

After winning the gold medal for the 400m event in last year's State Meet, the Iowa Colony sophomore seems to be on the fast-track to a repeat.

As a whole, the Pioneers are coming off an exceptional outing that saw both the girls and boys teams claim the Region III-4A title.

Naturally, they were propelled by Lewis, who took gold in the 200m Dash (24.45 s), the 400m Dash (55.18 s), and was major factor in the first-place finishes for the 4x200m (1:41.39) and 4x400m (3:54.31) relays.

Given the momentum she and ICHS have picked up thus far, it's a safe bet to assume that more gold medals are in store.