The fall is nice in the Austin area this time of year. Just ask Aledo cross country coach Mike Pinkerton.
For the third time in four years he is accompanying his cross country runners to the Class 5A State Meet in Round Rock. The Ladycats will compete as a team Saturday at Old Settler's Park, where they will be joined by Bearcat Jack Fink.
Fink is making his second straight appearance at state as he also qualified in 2021 with the entire Bearcats team. The Aledo boys also qualified in 2019.
"They are absolutely peaking at the right time," Pinkerton said. "They are looking really good right now."
The Ladycats placed fourth at the Region I Meet on Oct. 25, led by freshman Molly Garrison's second-place individual time of 18 minutes, 30.3 seconds over the 5K course. Two other Ladycats were in the top 13 as Sofia Brandenburg was 11th in 19:22.1 and Elizabeth Griffin was 13th in 19:26.9.
Garrison's time at regionals is the 17th fastest in the state this season.
Fink, a sophomore, qualified with a 13th-place individual finish among the boys, clocking a 16:11.9. The Bearcats narrowly missed returning as a team, placing fifth at regionals.
Also running for the Ladycats are junior Sidney Tillotson, junior Aubrey Connally, freshman Sadie Williams and sophomore Emily Lewis.
"Luckily, the state course is a little easier than the course we run for regionals. It will all boil down to weather conditions," Pinkerton said.
The forecast at press time for Round Rock around race time Saturday is cloudy with temperatures around 60 degrees and a slight chance of rain (10%). However, the course could be wet from the expected overnight rain (up to 70% chance).
At state, the 5A girls will race at 10 a.m. and the boys will follow at 10:40 a.m.
Fink made news last season when he was hit by a deer — literally — while running during a practice. While he required surgery on his head to recover, he has done so and is running better than ever it seems.
"Jack is also peaking at the right time. He continues to improve each day. It is such a joy watching him work in practice," Pinkerton said.
Fink is looking to improve on his 94th-place finish at state last season when he posted a time of 17:01.2. Pinkerton said that experience can only help him this weekend.
Fink's career-best time is 15:54.5, which he posted in the Southlake Carroll Invitational this season.
"He knows the course, which will benefit him greatly. He also either knows or is aware of most of the top runners in our division," Pinkerton said. "He knows what he has to do, and he is working very hard to get there. I know he will be ready.
"The field in both the boys and girls 5A races is stacked with talent. It will be tough, but we are going to give it everything we’ve got.
"I am so proud of these athletes, and their work ethic. Can’t wait for state!"
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