Aledo set to continue long running tradition

Competing at state has become a tradition in the Aledo cross country program under head coach Mike Pinkerton.

That continued last season when the Ladycats qualified as a team and were joined by now junior Jack Fink on the boys side. The girls team lost only two runners and the boys graduated just one, so hopes are high for even more success in 2023.

"It will be a tough season, as we are going to several big meets. However, our teams will be highly competitive this season," Pinkerton said. "I believe we will be very successful."

Back from the girls state team are sophomores Sofia Brandenburg, Molly Garrison, Elizabeth Griffin and Sadie Williams, along with senior Aubrey Connally. Griffin posted a career-best time of 19 minutes, 11 seconds to place 21st at state, while Garrison led the group at regionals with a PR time of 18:30 for second place.

Fink is a two-time state qualifier, having reached with the entire boys team in 2021. He finished 32nd at state last season after taking 13th at regionals.

Fink will be joined by fellow returners Dominick Barrera, sophomore; Bo Merrill, sophomore; Luke Schabel, junior; and Anderson Smith, sophomore.

Incoming freshmen and newcomers who could make a big impact, Pinkerton said, include sophomore Madison Larson (from Fort Worth Southwest Christian), freshman Mayden Mitchell, freshman Micah Neal, junior Layton Ybarra (from White Settlement High Point Academy) and sophomore Mykel Murry, who didn't run cross country last year.

Ybarra won the Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League state championship in 2022 and Larsen finished second in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class 5A State Meet last season.

As for the road to state, Pinkerton noted, "Regionals will be very tough as usual, with Grapevine and Colleyville Heritage being strong every year. I believe that our kids will compete very well, and we will be successful at both district and regionals.

"It will be a very exciting season."