Cross Country

Aledo wraps up best season ever for program

Girls third, boys fourth at state

Posted Thursday, November 6, 2025 11:41 am

The Aledo Ladycats and Bearcats competed in the Class 5A State Cross Country Meet in Round Rock on Oct. 31. The Ladycats finished third and the boys were fourth. It was the third straight season in which both teams advanced to state and a fourth straight for the girls.

Senior Molly Garrison and Junior Tyler Connelly placed second among the girls and third among the boys at this year’s Class 5A State Cross Country Meet in Round Rock.

In what is likely their final season competing at the 5A level, the Aledo cross country program had the best season in its history. The girls placed third and the boys were fourth at the Class 5A State Meet on Friday, Oct. 31.

“They both absolutely went after it. They gave it everything they had,” Aledo coach Mike Pinkerton said.

The Ladycats, who were also third last season and second in 2023, were led by Molly Garrison, the senior finished second individually with a time of 17 minutes, 53.50 seconds over the 5-kilometer course at Old Settler’s Park in Round.

The Bearcats, who posted the highest team finish in their history, were paced by junior Tyler Connelly. He clocked a 15:10.80 over 5K to place third individually.

Among the girls, Lucas Lovejoy, the 2023 champion, reclaimed the trophy, with 2024 champions Comal Smithson Valley finishing second. Grapevine won the boys championship, followed by McAllen and Weslaco East.

“They inspired their teammates and pulled them along,” Pinkerton said of Garrison and Connelly. “Molly is such a gifted athlete, a great team leader. For her to go out like this in cross country is phenomenal. And we still have her for track season.”

Last season in track, Garrison placed third in the state in the 1600-meter run and sixth in the 3200.

“I met my goal to reach the podium and to reach the podium with my team, too,” Garrison said of her state cross country performance. “It’s definitely a great way to end my high school career.”

Connelly said his state performance was a continuation of steady improvement all season.

“I could feel the progression,” he said. “My goal at the beginning of the season was to podium at state.

“I was just excited to run. I thought I’d really be nervous, but I just wanted to run.”

This is the third consecutive season in which the Ladycats and Bearcats have both advanced to state as a team — a fourth straight for the Ladycats. The Aledo program has now been represented at state nine straight seasons — ever since Pinkerton took over. They had individual representatives in 2017, 2018, and 2020, while the boys teams also qualified in 2019 and 2021.

“I’m really excited for next season,” Connelly said. “It’s amazing to see so many young people on the team doing so good.”

“What a way to finish the season!” Pinkerton exclaimed. “I couldn’t be prouder of the effort and dedication that these athletes have put forth throughout the season.”

Along with Garrison, this was the final race for Ladycat seniors Mykel Murry, Madison Larson, and Sofia Brandenburg. Ian Robbins also ran his final race as a Bearcat.