The entire Stratford Varsity girls team and Ben Pearce and David Kalwahali on the boys side are headed to the state cross country meet on November 4th in Round Rock.

GIRLS

At the 6A region III meet in Huntsville last Monday, our girls had their most impressive outing of the season on a day when it counted the most.

On the challenging course at Kate Barr Ross Park, the Spartan girls were determined not to be denied a return trip state after finishing in second place at regionals in 2021. By finishing 15, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, and 42 in the individual standings on Monday, that was more than enough to capture the regional runner-up trophy again this year, only behind the meet champion, Kingwood.

From roughly half-way through the race to the finish, every single Stratford girl either held their position or moved up… including a few girls that moved up 20-30 spots during that stretch of the race. That’s where they made the podium possible, demonstrating the strength and determination of this team that isn’t done yet.

Team results (lowest point total wins) : Kingwood (42), Stratford (90), Katy Tompkins (113), George Ranch (115), Clear Falls (117), Atascocita (179), Mayde Creek (179), Pearland (262), Katy (285), Pasadena Dobie (296), Lamar (298), Houston Memorial (360), Clear Creek (402), Ridge Point (409), Clements (420), Bellaire (448), Pearland Dawson (461), Jersey Village (491), Summer Creek (499), Deer Park (508), Shadow Creek (510), Pasadena Memorial (611), Houston Heights (628)

Individual results: (165 finishers):

Allie Weinhardt - 15th

Maggie Pearce - 18th

Anastasia Sciretti - 19th

Niamh Collins - 20th

Siena Yoder - 28th

Josie Heim - 38th

Amelia Bommer - 42nd

BOYS

Although all seven of our boys gave every ounce of fight they had, the cross country season ended for five of them after Stratford finished tied for eighth in the team standings. Only the top four teams at each of the four regional meets in Texas qualify for the state meet, as do the top-10 individual boys at each regional meet that are not on qualifying teams. Spartans Ben Pearce and David Kalwahali will represent Stratford America in Round Rock by finishing fifth and eleventh respectively at regionals. Although not a surprise that both of these young men will compete at state considering how strong and consistent they have been all season, the "how’s and what’s" of their accomplishments are note-worthy.

Pearce, only a sophomore, ran strong in the 15-20 position through mile two, steadily worked his way up to sixth place with 600 meters to go, and used a strong kick to cross the finish line only behind four other runners. In the process, he defeated several top athletes from across the region and state and raised a lot of eyebrows by earning a top-5 region medal at such a young stage of his high school career.

Kalwahali, the 2022 District 17- 6A champion, got tangled up 120 meters into the race, fell to the ground and then got knocked down again when attempting to get back on his feet. Relying on a combination of adrenaline and resolve from that point on, David was able to claw his way back into contention and steadily passed a whole host of runners on his way to 11th overall and his first ticket to state.

Team results: Strake Jesuit (71), Atascocita (75), Katy Tompkins (123), Cinco Ranch (138), Brazoswood (148), Seven Lakes (152), Pearland (238), Clear Lake (248), Stratford (248), Houston Memorial (300), Clear Springs (333), Deer Park (335), Bellaire (363), Alief Elsik ( 377), Kingwood (405), Westside (417), Elkins (450), Clements (502), Jersey Village (521), Summer Creek (546), George Ranch (578), Pasadena Dobie (588), Pasadena (616), Houston Heights (655)

Individual results: (174 finishers)

Ben Pearce - 5th

David Kalwahali - 11th

Jonathan Lumpkin - 69th

Jona Morford - 89th

Justin Kaimann- 92nd

Sam Jora- 100th

Daylan Rushing - 121st

The class 6A state competition will be held on Friday morning, November 4th, at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas. The girls will start at 10:00 am and the boys at 10:40 am.

Congratulations to Coaches Drayton, Markert, and Huntsman, and all of our student athletes on their success at regionals and throughout the season. Good luck at State!!!