Killeen ISD’s fleet-footed cross country runners have spent the last two months hauling in hardware and celebrating team titles.
Needless to say, it’s been a top-tier, weeks-long tune-up for the upcoming district meets in which a top three team finish or placing in the top 10 individually earns a trip to the regional meet and keeps alive the goal of reaching state.
The District 16-5A race, which features Ellison, Killeen and Shoemaker and includes Liberty Hill, Liberty Hill Legacy Ranch, Belton, Waco and Waco University, is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15 at Heritage Park in Belton.
On the same day, Harker Heights and Chaparral will toe the line with Waco Midway, Bryan, Copperas Cove, Lake Belton and Temple in the District 12-6A race at the Heart of Texas Soccer Complex in Waco.
The chase is on.
District 16-5A
The Ellison boys enter the 2026 district meet as the reigning champions and return five from the title-winning squad. Four of them helped the Eagles record a perfect score in that race and two –– Aiden Hill and Andy Harper –– advanced all the way to the UIL Class 5A State Championships.
They will take some momentum into their title defense after claiming the team title Oct. 6 in the Pro-Fit Last Chance Invitational at Heritage Park. Harper finished third in that race, Hill was sixth, Justin Rodriguez-Quintana 11th, Quintin Durham 18th and Jaylen Henry 47th.
It won’t be easy, though. The district is loaded with capable competitors, including KISD’s own Shoemaker and Killeen as well as Liberty Hill, which had two runners place first and second in the Last Chance meet.
“The team has been running better the last two weeks,” said longtime EHS head coach Jesse San Miguel, adding that the 16-5A newcomers from Liberty Hill and KISD neighbors Shoemaker and Killeen will no doubt be worthy challengers.
Two weeks ago, the Grey Wolves pocketed the team championship in the Lampasas Badger Invite, and on Oct. 6 were fifth in the Last Chance meet anchored by a trio of top 15 finishes –– Matthew Patterson (10th), Ja’styce Reed-Williams (14th) and Colton Moore (15th).
The Roos, led by Emiliano Quintero, who won the season’s opening race in Temple, also could contend for a top three team finish in the district meet. The Lady Roos’ Deja Brooks, who missed regional qualification by one spot while competing at the 6A level last season, will contend for a regional berth.
District 12-6A
Last year, the Harker Heights boys captured the program’s first district title since 2014 and head coach Jason Torres and the Knights hope history repeats itself in Waco.
“Our Knights are looking sharp as we approach our district meet. All of our runners have been progressively improving their times and running personal bests as we prepare to defend our title,” said Torres, whose team finished seventh in the Last Chance meet, buoyed by veteran runners Blake Zimmerman (fourth) and Kealin Sandifer (ninth). “We have a solid squad, but we do have some tough competition.”
Indeed, and among the willing and able aiming to dethrone the Knights is KISD counterpart Chaparral –– a 5A regional qualifier now making its mark in 6A. The Bobcats, who didn’t compete in the Last Chance meet because of scheduling conflicts, have two team titles to their credit this season. In their most recent triumph, Sept. 17, in the Life Waxahachie meet, Damari Patterson posted a third-place finish and Jayden Brown crossed in sixth.
Speaking of gold, the Lady Bobcats certainly have collected their share of it in their first season as a 6A program and figure to stake their claim as a frontrunner in the district meet.
“I think the success we’ve had throughout the regular season has given this team something really important heading into district –– belief. They’ve pushed each other, grown together, and learned how to trust the work they’ve put in,” said CHS head coach Mallory Hibbert, whose top five runners –– Autumn Scotting, Joanna Barcenas, Kylie Girdy-Terrell, Jazmin Walls and Yeylis Tello –– are a valuable mixture of returners and fresh faces.
“At this point, it’s not about trying to become a different team next week. It’s about believing in the team we’ve already become,” Hibbert said. “Every workout, every race, every hard day has prepared them for this moment. We know what we’re capable of, and now it’s about stepping on that starting line confident, composed and ready to compete for each other.
Regionals and beyond
The Class 5A and 6A Region II meets will be held at the Rolling Hills Soccer Complex in Fort Worth. The 6A race is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26, and the 5A on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The first four teams and the top 10 individuals not already on one of the advancing teams qualify for state Nov. 6-7 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
Last Chance Invitational
View the full results from the Oct. 6 race here: https://tinyurl.com/yzypmku2.