On a chilly morning nearly one year ago, Ethan Carranza stood underneath one of the many trees at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock after his first appearance in the cross country state meet and essentially committed then and there to working his way back.
With his latest sub-16 minute 5-kilometer run (3.1 miles), the Ellison senior booked that coveted return trip.
Carranza, who two weeks ago cruised to the District 16-5A title while helping the Eagles claim their second consecutive team championship, navigated the course at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie on Tuesday and finished fourth in the Class 5A Region II meet to qualify yet again for the state championships.
“I was a little nervous and having these thoughts of, like, a freak accident happening, and what if I didn’t qualify,” said an upbeat and cheerful Carranza, who crossed the finish line with a time of 15 minutes, 57.50 seconds. “So, it feels great to have it over with and to qualify for state.”
Anna’s Bryce Denton claimed the top prize in 15:19.17.
Carranza’s nerves were tested right from the get-go after the group of 180 runners started and then stopped because someone fell. After the restart, though, Carranza said it was basically business as usual. He stayed with the top six pack and passed a pair of runners down the final uphill stretch to place fourth.
He was fifth in the regional meet a year ago after a runner-up showing at district, and clocked 16:14.1 at the state meet for 36th.
“I’ve just been putting in a lot more mileage, making sure I’m getting 50 miles a week and getting good training. And that has made a big difference,” Carranza said.
The top four teams and top 10 individuals not on those teams advanced to the 5A state meet, which is slated for an 11:25 a.m. start Saturday, Nov. 2. Carranza already had his preparation plans in order.
“Just staying consistent with mileage, get sleep, eat right, hydrating –– all the little things,” he said.
Carranza’s qualification highlighted a strong performance Tuesday by Ellison, which placed seventh out of 24 teams.
Andy Harper (17:29.18, 63rd), Mike Rodriguez Quintana (17:37.91, 67th), Jaylen Henry (17:57.47, 81st) and Isaiah Holloway (18:11.54, 98th) counted toward the Eagles’ 260-point total. Justin Rodriguez Quintana (18:16.32, 105th) and Luis Aldarondo Tineo (18:19.14, 108th) rounded out Ellison’s participants.
“I’m very proud of them. We weren’t sure how we would do this year and winning district was huge,” Carranza said. “Getting to regionals was a learning experience for the younger runners and now they can come back with that experience.”
Also on Tuesday, Ellison senior D’Angeleigh Dombkowski –– the district champion two years ago and this season’s 16-5A runner-up –– placed 29th in a time of 19:53.08 and narrowly missed a qualifying spot by three places, or about 10 seconds, to close a standout season.
In the regional race for the first time as a team in school history, Chaparral’s boys and girls also circled the course Tuesday in the 5A-II competition and wrapped up their stellar seasons.
Cristian Vasquez (17:57.60, 82nd) had the top time for the Bobcats, who were 21st. Caleb Mendoza (18:32.67, 124th), Fantino Weary (18:44,84, 131st), Blaze Hiapo (18:46.52, 132nd) and Carlos Robinson (18:48.02, 135th) contributed to the team score. Jayden Brown (18:59.33, 141st) and J.D. Sanchez (19:28.77, 153rd) also represented Chaparral.
For the Lady Bobcats, who were 17th, Laila Brown (20:49.10) delivered her team’s fastest time to finish 51st. Fayija Smith (21:29.94, 68th), Yeylis Tello (21:54.14, 77th), Hayden Mateski (24:21.99, 145th), Avianna Borja (24:24.67, 147th), Jasmin Garraway (24:41.13, 150th) and Julia Al Saadeh (25:21.45, 158th) followed.
In the Class 6A Region II meet Monday, District 12-6A individual champion and Harker Heights sophomore Kaitlyn Jackowski glided to a 57th-place finish in 20:18.52, capping a strong campaign that included helping the Lady Knights back to the regional event.
Xenia Gutierrez (22:49.82, 139th), a state-qualifying wrestler last February, Issabella Dominguez (25:15.93, 169th), Maya Beckett (25:52.23, 172nd) and Summerlyn Bennett (26:10.85, 175th) completed Harker Heights scoring quintet. Also on the course were Charlotte Krider (26:10.85, 176th) and Makayla Otto (26:16.00, 178th).
Shoemaker sent the duo of Kahlia Woodley and Cameron Roberts, who each finished in the top-10 in the 12-6A meet two weeks ago. On Monday, Roberts (21:33.24) was 100th and Woodley (22:36.19) 132nd.
Shoemaker junior David Bluhm crossed in 16:52.07 and posted a 58th-place showing to pace KISD’s athletes in the boys 180-runner 6A-II field. Teammate Alexander Roberts (17:15.53) finished 77th.
Reilly Vance (17:19.92, 81st) led the Knights’ contingent, which was third as a team two weeks ago at the 12-6A meet in Waco.
Cody Zimmerman (17:41.21, 102nd), Christion Meiners (18:36.31, 138th), Blake Zimmerman (18:37.67, 141st) and Tanner McIntosh-Richter (19:11.07, 156th) rounded out Harker Heights top five. Also racing for the Knights were Shane Postoak (19:22.76, 159th) and Kealin Sandifer (19:26.82, 160th).
