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THE WRAP: DFW, San Antonio teams dominate State XC Meet, Bridgeland excels from Houston
Just like that, the first series of Fall championships has come and gone.
Teams from around the state gathered at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock, TX this past weekend to take part in the annual UIL State Cross Country Meet, and there was a vast array of individuals who went on to excel.
In Class 6A, Southlake Carroll (Boys) took gold as a team, after Caden Leanord (1st), Blake Bullard (8th) and Griffin Cords (11th) finished within the Top 20.
On the girls' side, Flower Mound brought home first prize, due to top placements from Adeline Bennett (4th), Alexandra Fox (5th) and Ava Cole (6th). Additionally, Denton Braswell's Maxy Wingard took the top spot individually.
Representing H-Town, Bridgeland featured some stand-outs, with Benjamin Montgomery and Lily Fawcett placing second overall in their respective races, leading to the Bears finishing 3rd (Boys) and 2nd (Girls) as a team in 6A.
Onto the Class 5A scene, Lucas Lovejoy (Boys) claimed the State Title, while San Antonio's Smithson Valley won it all in the UIL-5A Girls competition, with the Lovejoy Leopards finishing 2nd.
Individually, Boerne-Champion's Elizabeth Leachman took gold by almost a full minute ahead of second place (Dana Rojas Vazquez - McAllen).
Other noteworthy performances include Friendswood's Aiden Fitzgerald (2nd in 5A Boys), Smithson Valley's Brady Solansky (3rd in 5A Girls), Denton Braswell's Aleksandr Acuna (3rd in 6A Boys), Coppell's Maya Easterwood (3rd in 6A Girls), Boerne-Champion's Charlie Houck (4th in 5A Boys) and SA Reagan's Gavin Chapa (4th in 6A Boys).
With all the best Texas high school racers having crossed the finish line, here is the full break-down of what took place at the final UIL Meet this past Friday and Saturday.
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CLASS 6A (BOYS)
TEAM RESULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Southlake Carroll Dragons (Total Score: 49)
2nd Place -- Vandegrift Vipers (53)
3rd Place -- Bridgeland Bears (84)
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Individual Results
1. Caden Leonard - Southlake Carroll (14:50.10)***
2. Benjamin Montgomery - Bridgeland (15:01.30)
3. Aleksandr Acuna - Denton Braswell (15:03.80)
4. Gavin Chapa - SA Reagan (15:06.40)
5. Ruel Newberry - Denton Guyer (15:09.50)
6. Kai McCullough - Vandegrift (15:11.80)
7. Joaquin De La Cruz - McKinney Boyd (15:13.10)
8. Blake Bullard - Southlake Carroll (15:15.80)
9. Zachary Miller - Brennan (15:16.10)
10. Aidan Danny Torres - El Paso Eastwood (15:19.60)
11. Griffin Cords - Southlake Carroll (15:24.20)
12. Griffin Hummel - Austin Bowie (15:24.50)
13. Collin Goodwin - Vandegrift (15:27.00)
14. Elton Martin - The Woodlands (15:28.40)
15. Luke Bone - Austin High (15:31.70)
16. Chris Creedon - Clear Creek (15:33.10)
17. Tyler Hedgepeth - The Woodlands (15:34.90)
18. Christian Cruz-Castro - Vandegrift (15:35.90)
19. Jayce Love - Schertz Clemens (15:39.60)
20. Benjamin Pearce - Stratford (15:39.80)
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CLASS 6A (GIRLS)
TEAM REULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Flower Mound Jaguars (Total Score: 47)
2nd Place -- Bridgeland Bears (81)
3rd Place -- Katy Tigers (139)
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Individual Results
1. Macy Wingard - Denton Braswell (17:07.90)***
2. Lily Fawcett - Bridgeland (17:32.10)
3. Maya Easterwood - Coppell (17:36.80)
4. Adeline Bennett - Flower Mound (17:43.70)
5. Alexandra Fox - Flower Mound (17:44.00)
6. Ava Cole - Flower Mound (18:00.40)
7. Meredith Wolfe - Round Rock (18:01.40)
8. Rowan Saacke - Bridgeland (18:03.40)
9. Adelynn Rodriguez - El Paso Eastwood (18:06.40)
10. Emily Orr - El Paso Franklin (18:12.70)
11. Taryn Elmer - Lewisville Marcus (18:13.20)
12. Jamie Klander - Mayde Creek (18:18.20)
13. Clare Boneau - Keller (18:20.50)
14. Susana Rawls - Bridgeland (18:21.10)
15. Sophia Lopez -- RR Stony Point (18:21.50)
16. Stoya Laydevant - The Woodlands (18:23.30)
17. Addison Scott - Houston Memorial (18:27.00)
18. Naomi Weller - The Woodlands (18:27.70)
19. Marian Mann - Klein (18:30.00)
20. Isabella Porter - SA Johnson (18:30.20)
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CLASS 5A (BOYS)
TEAM RESULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Lucas Lovejoy Leopards (Total Score: 77)
2nd Place -- Boerne Greyhounds (137)
3rd Place -- Frisco Wakeland Wolverines (153)
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Individual Results
1. Bryce Denton - Anna (15:16.90)***
2. Aiden Fitzgerald - Friendswood (15:32.00)
3. Miles Westbrook - El Paso (15:39.20)
4. Charlie Houck - Boerne-Champion (15:41.90)
5. Jaxon Asbill - Dayton (15:51.60)
6. Colby Huntress - Austin Anderson (15:52.10)
7. Diego Romero - El Paso Americas (15:52.90)
8. Elijah Merino - Kingwood Park (15:53.20)
9. Tristan Arceneau - Lucas Lovejoy (15:54.00)
10. Matthew Binkley - Montgomery (15:58.60)
11. Carson Brown - Kingwood Park (16:00.30)
12. Andrew Malan - Frisco Lebanon Trail (16:00.40)
13. Andrew DeYoung - Grapevine (16:00.50)
14. Tyler Connelly - Aledo (16:01.10)
15. Matthew Morales - Georgetown (16:01.40)
16. Luis Tovar - Boerne-Champion (16:02.10)
17. William Carlson - Lucas Lovejoy (16:04.40)
18. Gage Horejsi - Leander (16:06.30)
19. Malin Arnoldusen - El Paso Burges (16:06.60)
20. Amisadai Yanez - Texas City (16:07.70)
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CLASS 5A (GIRLS)
TEAM RESULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Smithson Valley Rangers (Total Score: 54)
2nd Place -- Lucas Lovejoy Leopards (97)
3rd Place -- Aledo Bearcats (145)
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Individual Results
1. Elizabeth Leachman - Boerne-Champion (17:14.80)***
2. Dana Rojas Vazquez - McAllen (18:07.60)
3. Brady Solansky - Smithson Valley (18:10.50)
4. Sofia Phillips - Birdville (18:15.40)
5. Savanah Moya - New Braunfels (18:15.60)
6. Molly Garrison - Aledo (18:16.60)
7. Ella Magallan - Burleson Centennial (18:24.60)
8. Eva Cragnolino - Austin LASA (18:24.90)
9. Camryn Benson - Lucas Lovejoy (18:31.80)
10. Lilly Koenig - Smithson Valley (18:37.40)
11. Kenzi Ramirez - McAllen (18:41.10)
12. Micah Neal - Aledo (18:42.70)
13. Natali Velasquez - Colleyville Heritage (18:49.50)
14. Presley Robertson - Frisco Wakeland (18:53.80)
15. Mykel Murry - Aledo (18:54.50)
16. Kynley Albright - Boerne-Champion (18:55.20)
17. Mason Murray - Abilene (18:59.50)
18. Skyler Fonseca - Smithson Valley (19:00.40)
19. Mia Perez - Smithson Valley (19:02.60)
20. Aubrey Pozzi - Smithson Valley (19:03.80)
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TUNNEL VISION: Bridgeland's Newman has a one-track mind
WHEN IT COMES TO CONSTRUCTING A SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALL PROGRAM, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BIG-MEN UP FRONT CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.
Sure, the skill players will naturally receive the majority of the praise given that they’re the ones lighting up the scoreboard, but for a team to be propelled into the postseason it will ultimately come down to how capable their guys are in the trenches.
For Bridgeland, there aren’t many nearly as capable as Jonte Newman.
After being established in 2018, the Bears are easily one of the most instantly accomplished programs in the state, having reached the playoffs every season for the last five years.
“I just love Bridgeland’s mentality,” Newman said. “It’s a great atmosphere and a great community that’s helped to build me up as an individual. If you want to come play a winning brand of football, come to Bridgeland. That’s been my take on it.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
From the left tackle spot, Newman has been a pillar in an offensive line that’s upheld the team’s rapidly growing reputation.
He earned a unanimous first-team, all-district nod in 2023. It’s only natural that four-star offensive linemen would have a place to call home ahead of his senior year.
Luckily for Newman, he won’t have to travel far after committing to Texas A&Min April.
He was more than straightforward as to what his motivation was.
“Mike Elko (A&M’s newest Head Coach),” he said. “I believe in everything he says.I think he’s going to do some good with the program, since he turned Duke – a traditional basketball school – into a respectable football team. Because of that, I knew A&M would be a good fit for me.”
His 6-foot-4, 275-pound frame, paired with surprisingly quick feet make him more than a critical asset for coach Lonnie Madison’s front-line, as they look to extend their playoff-streak to six this upcoming Fall.
But his value extends further than just physicality.
“I think my greatest attribute is how I’ve grown into a leader,” said Newman. “I’ve also gotten pretty good at pass-press which fits right into our offensive scheme, because Bridgeland likes to pass a lot. Plus, being a left tackle means I’m covering the QB’s blindside,so taking that responsibility means I’ve got to be a dog on the O-Line.”
Just as many in his position do, Newman maintains an unwavering focus for his future.
“The goal is to make it pro, plain and simple,” he said. “I don’t really have a backup plan in mind, so all my attention is aimed at seeing that journey through.”
2024-25 Bridgeland FootballJamey Wright (VYPE)
Before he embarks on his dream to the top, however, the future Aggie and his high school team has some unfinished business.
Bridgeland endured an early exit from the postseason a year ago, in a 50-49 overtime thriller that was decided by Klein Cain, after going undefeated in District 16-6A.
With Newman shoring up a formidable O-Line, however, he and the Bears should expect a different outcome in the coming months.