Aledo teams headed back to state

It's become as common as cowboys (and cowgirls) wearing boots. If it's the first week of November, the Aledo Ladycats and Bearcats must be competing in the Class 5A State Cross Country Meet at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

For a seventh time since 2019 Aledo will be well-represented at the state meet. For a second straight season both the Ladycats and Bearcats will be competing as complete teams in the elite meet.

The Bearcats have sent their complete team in 2019, 2021, 2023 and now 2024. The Ladycats are competing as a team for a third consecutive season, having finished second last year to another perennial power, Lucas Lovejoy.

The Ladycats qualified this year by winning a second straight Region I championship. The Bearcats finished third, marking the first time in school history both teams made it onto the medal stand (the boys were fourth at regionals in 2023).

 In other words, the program has become one of the more renowned in the state under coach Mike Pinkerton.

Part of the secret is the schedule Pinkerton puts together each season. His teams compete in some of the most elite meets to be found in the country, including the Texas A&M Invitational, the Hoka McNeil Invitational (on the same course as state) and the Chili Pepper Festival hosted by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

"We do this because you get better by running against the best," Pinkerton said. "You can see it's paying off."

Senior Jack Fink will be making his fourth consecutive trip to state. He has qualified with the team three times and individually in 2022.

Fellow senior Luke Schabel is competing at state for a third time, having gone with the team two other times.

"It feels really special, following up the likes of Graydon Morris, Cooper Goggans and Isaac Hernandez," Schabel said.

Morris won three state championships and all three are now competing in college at TCU, Abilene Christian and Texas Tech, respectively.

"Continuing that tradition is definitely something great," Schabel continued. "And our girls team is incredible."

Then he added, "I think both teams are going to be great again next year and make another run at state. We have some amazing young talent."

Making their third consecutive trip to state for the Ladycats are juniors Molly Garrison and Sofia Brandenburg. Back for a second straight year are juniors Mykel Murry and Madison Larsen, along with sophomores Micah Neal and Mayden Mitchell. Sophomore Kjersten Loy is a newcomer to the postseason.

“It’s fantastic to be going back, but I definitely think there’s a lot more pressure after having finished second last year,” Garrison said. “But there’s also a lot of excitement, knowing what we can do.”

Joining Schabel and Fink as returners for the Bearcats are junior Dominick Barrera and sophomore Tyler Connelly for a second time. Junior Ian Robbins, along with freshmen Landon Eaton and Thatcher Pettit are first-time postseason competitors.

“We’re such a close-knit team,” Garrison said. “It’s great to be there with Jack and Luke in their final time. Even these last couple of weeks, it wouldn’t have been the same practicing without them.” 

The Ladycats will compete at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, with the boys race immediately following.