STEPHENVILLE – The Brownwood Lady Lions will continue their annual tradition of a trip to Lubbock for the Region I-4A cross country meet, and will be joined for the first time in eight years by the entire Lions team following Tuesday’s District 6-4A meet.
The Lady Lions finished second by three points behind Glen Rose, while the Lions came in third to claim the final regional berth in the boys draw.
The Lady Lions generated 41 points, which trailed only Glen Rose’s tally of 38 as Sidney Windham led the charge with a second-place time of 12:46.56. Also comprising the regional-bound Lady Lions squad are Kate Tindol (7th, 13:07.89), Braycee Lee (9th, 13:14.58), Kylea Karnes (11th, 13:38.8), Miranda Northcutt (12th, 13:41.24), Talia Craff (14th, 13:47.16), and Alma Bernal (21st, 14:26.64)
The Lions, meanwhile, garnered 77 points to place seven points better than fourth-place Mineral Wells (84). Brownwood trailed only Stephenville (31) and Mineral Wells (44) as the top three teams move on to the next round of competition.
Sparking the Lions’ return to regionals were Caleb Nelson (7th, 18:43.56), Luke Gray (9th, 18:47.1), Noah Lambert (15th, 19:46.78), Easton Judkins (19th, 20:25.55), Braylon Harvey (27th, 21:45.6), Noah Pyle (31st, 22:44.42), and Dayton Zamora (32nd, 22:48.72).
In JV action, the Lady Lions captured the district championship with 29 points, topping Stephenville (36) and Glen Rose (65).
The team is comprised of Arieseli Hernandez (1st, 14:23.21), Kiara Delce (2nd, 14:32.93), Haylee Adkins (3rd, 14:33.66), Mia Lara (8th, 15:20.92), Jazmine Rivas (18th, 16:53.05), Ciara McDonough (24th, 18:96.29), and Ashley Robinson (27th, 22:22.03).
For the JV boys, the Lions placed third with 61 points behind Stephenville (18) and Mineral Wells (57).
Competing for Brownwood were Casey Friebol (14th, 22:16.08), Ty Tindol (15th, 22:20.25), Gage Sparks (17th, 22:31.8), Austin Pittman (18th, 22:34.51) and Kayson Patterson (20th, 23:49.17).
The Region I-4A meet will take place Monday, Oct. 24 at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock. The top four teams and top 10 individuals not on a qualifying team will move on to Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, where the UIL Class 4A cross county state championships will take place at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4.
[Photos contributed]