And that can only be a good sign as the Belton senior figures to be back in two weeks for one last shot at a state title.
Tindell moved one step closer to a return trip by cruising to her third straight district title Friday morning in the District 12-5A meet to help the Lady Tigers advance to the Class 5A Region II meet.
In the boys race, Temple's Romeo Guajardo and Belton's Zerrick Vriseno qualified for regional competition.
The top three teams and top 10 individuals moved on to the regional meet next Saturday at Vandergriff Park in Arlington.
Tindell breezed through the two-mile course in 11 minutes, 14 seconds, besting the field by 44 seconds for her largest margin of victory at the district meet. She missed out on the individual crown as a freshman, finishing second by 11 seconds.
"It's a really big deal for me," said Tindell, a third- and fifth-place state medalist. "It's the first time in this district for anyone to win three years in a row. It's exciting that I was the first person to do that."
The competition greatly increases next week at regionals, where Tindell finished fifth in 2007 and second last season. But this is the point in the season where she figures she's at her best.
"Right now, I just have to get to state," Tindell said.
She was one of three Lady Tigers in the top 10, joined by Alejandra Marquez and Lauren Hildinger.
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
