Belton’s girls cross country runners spend just as much time together dancing, singing and occassionally creating their own raps as they do running.
There’s been no hint of nervousness this week as the Lady Tigers prepare for today’s University Interscholastic League State Cross Country Meet at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
They’re still laughing, joking and simply having fun - the same attitude that’s made them one of Class 5A’s toughest teams to beat.
“We try and make it fun,” said junior Regan Tindell, who says she’s responsible for organizing the team’s wild fashion days. “We try and have a good time.”
Having spent hours together nearly every day since June, they’ve become a tight-knit group.
Coach Denise Petter said she sees a chemistry between them that doesn’t come along often.
“They see each other in their worst conditions, when you’re hurting, you’re feeling bad and you’re at your lowest low,” she said. “When your friends can come in and help on those days, that’s what makes them close.”
Aside from undeniable chemistry, the other part of what’s made this team so tough to beat is its balance.
It starts up front with Tindell, who finished in fifth place at last season’s 5A state meet. She’s been even better this season, winning all but two races. Both times she was the runner-up, including last week’s Region II meet in Arlington. Tindell ran a personal-best 10 minutes, 51 seconds.
Tindell ranks second in the state entering today’s race, behind Sarah Andrews of The Woodlands.
At any given meet, just about any of Belton’s runners can finish in any of the team’s five scoring spots.
The Lady Tigers posted one of their best team performances of the season two weeks ago at the District 12-5A meet - on the same course as the one they’ll run on today.
In winning the district title, Belton placed five in the top nine and posted a team score of 23 points, just eight off a perfect score of 15.
All seven Lady Tigers finished in the top 14.
Behind individual winner Tindell that morning, senior Michelle Hagen was second, LuLu Hildinger fourth and Alejandra Marquez seventh, followed by Courtney White in ninth, Katelin Huckabee in 12th and Gracen Verheyden in 14th.
All seven have set personal bests in one of the last two weeks.
The Region II meet was just the third time all season the Lady Tigers didn’t walk away with the team title.
“We sort of knew with this group that if they did what they needed to do to take care of business (they would succeed),” Petter said. “We put in a lot more speed work and these girls get together and they put their extra distance work together as a team. That’s where the huge difference has come in.”
That balance comes from competition among teammates who run similar times. They not only push each other in practice, but also in meets.
And around Belton, beating a teammate is encouraged.
“If someone beats you that you’ve been beating, it’s a happy feeling,” Hildinger said. “You know you’re helping the team.”
NOTES: Bruceville-Eddy’s Arianna Rodriguez, a three-time 2A state qualifier, is hoping to improve on last season’s fifth-place finish. “I have to get out fast, but not so fast that I get boxed in,” she said. “I’m hoping for top three.” . . . Salado’s Lindsey Martin and Brittney Frazier are both back at state for the second straight season. Martin finished 19th and Frazier was 23rd last season . . . Academy’s Emily Koenig, who placed eighth at state last season, qualified individually at last week’s 2A Region IV meet . . . Cameron Yoe’s girls team, in 3A, is running at state for the second straight season.
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
