December 20, 2024 - The Smithson Valley High School girls cross country team made school history when it won the UIL 5A State title on November 2 in Round Rock and was recognized by the Comal ISD Board of Trustees for its success.
The Rangers were led by freshman Brady Solansky who lost a shoe in the beginning of the race, hobbling across rough gravel for the first mile before the course turned back to grass. She recovered and finished with the bronze medal.
The team entered the state meet ranked second but left as the clear winner with five runners placing in the top 20 to beat the silver medal team by 43 points.
Along with Solansky, the state-winning team includes Skyler Fonseca, Parker Julian, Lilly Koenig, Addison Knibbe, Mia Perez and Aubry Pozzi. The SVHS head cross country coach is Trenton Hall.
Comal ISD was well represented at the UIL 4A cross country state meet as well with two athletes from Canyon Lake High School and 14 from Davenport High School qualifying.
From CLHS, Eva Zabarcencu and Tristan Schenk advanced to the state meet. The CLHS head cross country coach is Chris San Miguel.
From DHS, the girls team finished fifth in the state for the second consecutive year, and the boys team finished 10th. Senior Eli Bliss became the school’s first runner to earn a medal at a state meet, finishing 10th. He also received All-State recognition from the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas.
Members of the DHS girls team were Beth Bates, Olivia Bounds, Kendall Fallon, Macie Fallon, Julianna Gonzalez, Caitlyn Long and Audrey Orgill.
Members of the DHS boys team were Caleb Bliss, Eli Bliss, Jayson Loyola, Christian Pena, Blake Reagan, Nate Rogers and Jake Vidrio.
Congratulations!
Photo Descriptions
-The Smithson Valley High School girls cross country team won the UIL 5A state title.
-The state championship cross country team from Smithson Valley High School was recognized during the Comal ISD Board of Trustees meeting December 19.
-Davenport High School cross country state qualifiers were recognized during the Comal ISD Board of Trustees meeting December 19.