The Falcon Cross Country team travelled to Texas Tech on Oct. 28 for the UIL Regional Championship.

Two of the men’s individual runners and the women’s team qualified to compete at this UIL competition. Juniors Robert Neeley and Eric Gordon placed eighth and twenty-first respectively, and the girl’s cross country team placed eighth overall. Neeley and Gordon will compete in the State Cross Country UIL 6A Boys 5K Championship at 3:10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Old Settlers Park.

Although the women’s team didn’t advance, it’s clear that this competition has only spurred them on more.

“Even though our girl’s team didn’t place for state, I’m super proud of what we’ve done this year,” freshman Adrianna McCullough said. “Each and every one of us have improved so much, and we’re going to be be even better next year.”

In order to prepare for the regional competition, some runners ran up to 50 hours a week.

“You know, the hard part is just staying with it,” Neeley said. “Once you stand at that starting line and you realize you’re fully prepared, not nervous-well, that’s when all the effort is worth it.”

While at Texas Tech, the team toured the university’s sports center and the indoor track.

Freshman Adrianna McCullough said,

“I thought it was really cool, especially when we got to run on [the indoor track],” McCullogh said. “It was really interesting to kind of see what could happen if I keep up running.”

Congratulations to the cross country runners for the successful season they had. Run over to Old Settlers Park and support Neeley and Gordon at the state meet on Saturday, Nov. 9.