TEXARKANA, Texas — The Pleasant Grove and Texas High cross country programs competed at the second annual Texas A&M University-Texarkana meet on Saturday.
Texas High's varsity boys took first place in the 1-5A division, while the varsity girls also claimed the top spot.
The Lady Tigers won the overall 5,000-meter race for 5-6A, with Zoey Richardson coming in first at 23:11.00. Unique McGown-Smith, Catherine Loomis, Elizabeth Sharp and Lillyonna Omelas finished 2-5, respectively.
Pleasant Grove's varsity boys team, which placed first in the 1-4A classification, finished second overall behind Texas High. Grayson Redden had a fourth-place finish, while fellow Hawk runners Mark Bultemeier and Hayden Wormington came in fifth and 10th, respectively.
“Grayson Redden stepped up huge for us on the guys side,” Pleasant Grove coach Andrew Chasteen said. “Our guys are going through some sickness right now. Once we get healed up, we will have some massive races.”
Audrey Boehmke came in second for the varsity girls team, which placed third overall.
“On the girls side, Audrey Boehmke’s individual second-place finish was incredible to watch,” the coach said. “Carley Rhodes and Aubrey Carter had a huge day as well.
“Our girls are improving every meet. They are progressing extremely well.”
Overall, Coach Chasteen was pleased after the meet and how his athletes performed.
“We ran very well today,” Chasteen said. “All of our varsity boys and girls are way ahead of where we were at this race last year. I’m proud of all of our runners.”
In subvarsity action, Texas High boys and girls junior varsity teams won the 1-5A division. Arkansas High's girls took second. Atlanta's junior high boys placed first ahead of McLeod, which took first in the girls division.