GOING FOR A THREE-PEAT
State Championship Boys 5-A Preview
Who Teams: Valley View, Sundown, New Summerfield
Why: For the past two years Valley View has run it ways to the top of the podium as 2-A State Champs. This Saturday they are going for three. Valley View will run six returning members from last year's championship squad. They won Region 2 with 35 points led by senior, Garrett Gonzalez.
Region 1 Champs, Sundown won its meet with 35 points as well but with even faster times. Steven Quintanilla and Justin Torres both ran under 17:00 minutes. The team finished third last year at State. With these fast times, they could finish even higher this year.
New Summerfield should be in the discussion for podium contenders. The Region 3 Champs claimed silver at the State meet last year. Brandon Chavarria will likely lead this squad which runs in a fairly tight pack.
Miles and Boys Ranch could be in the mix but once again they'll need strong showings from their 4th and 5th runners.
Individuals: Defending 2-A State Champ, John Zuniga finished 2nd a few weeks ago at the Region 4 Championship meet right behind Great Hearts' Duncan Naylor. Zuniga, a senior, has experience on his
side but will it be enough to fend off Naylor at State? Naylor, a freshman, has the second fastest time coming out of regionals, finishing well under 17:00 minutes. Sundown's Steven Quintanilla and Justin Torres also ran under 17:00 minutes at their regional meet which makes them solid contenders at State. Clarendon's Bryce Grahn finished right behind this duo at Regionals. He's hoping to improve his 6th place finish at last year's state meet. Keep an eye out for Valley View's Garrett Gonzalez and Houston Tipps. They both had strong finishes at State last year and finished one/two at the Region 2 meet.