What's Next
Regional Meets All of these schools will be trying to earn the coveted spots on the starting line at the state meet through the regional meet system. With the exception of Mullen, which is a 4A school for cross country, the other squads will be attempting to place in the top four teams in their respective 5A regionals to qualify or top fifteen individually, if not on a qualifying team.
An impending showdown (again) looms between Brie Oakley and three-time state champion Lauren Gregory of Fort Collins. Oakley placed second to the Lambkin at state last fall. They waged an epic battle at Liberty Bell earlier this year, both breaking the former course record, and busting through the 17:00 barrier in the process. Oakley got the upper hand that day by about 8 seconds.
Something tells me,however, that Gregory won't easily relinquish her title. Should be exciting!