It’s really not that far from Aledo to Round Rock. And if you follow the path the Aledo Bearcats cross country team took last season, it gets even shorter.
With four members returning from last season’s team that advanced to the Class 5A Boys State Cross Country Meet at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, optimism is high for more success in 2022.
“We’re looking forward to another strong season. We should have another strong boys team, and some very talented girls as well,” head coach Mike Pinkerton said.
Back for the Bearcats is sophomore Jack Fink, who broke the top 100 individually at state last year with a 94th-place finish. He is joined by fellow state returners juniors Vincent Luffey and Sam Haught, along with senior Henry Zedler.
Fink also won District 5-5A last season, while Luffey was fifth, Haught was sixth and Zedler was seventh.
Fink and Haught also enjoyed success this summer with the Mach I Track Club out of Weatherford, both qualifying for the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina. Fink finished fifth in the nation in the Boys 15-16 3,000-meter race.
Newcomers among the girls include freshmen Molly Garrison, Elizabeth Griffin, and Sophia Brandenburg, while freshman Anderson Smith is joining the team among the boys, along with senior Isaac Cupp, a transfer from Weatherford Christian School.
Cupp placed second in the state in TAPPS 2A cross country last season.
The Bearcats and Ladycats will once again be competing in District 5-5A with Azle, Granbury, Northwest, Saginaw, White Settlement Brewer, and Wichita Falls Rider.
“Same district, but added Northwest and Saginaw. It will be a tough district,” Pinkerton said.
Aledo Bearcats/Ladycats 2022 Cross Country Schedule
Date Meet Time
Aug. 13 Hotter Than Buzzy, Azle 7 a.m.
Aug. 20 Cowtown Challenge, FW 7 a.m.
Aug. 27 Southlake Invitational 7 a.m.
Sept. 2 Elk Run, Burleson 7 a.m.
Sept. 10 Mineral Wells Invitational 8 a.m.
Sept. 17 Paschal Invite, FW 7:30 a.m.
Sept. 22 Flyin’ Hawks Invitational, FW 7:30 a.m.
Sept. 30 Race for the Loot, Granbury 8:30 a.m.
Oct. 14 Dist. 5-5A, White Settlement 9 a.m.
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