By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Brackett’s Matthew Schwandner is one step closer to bringing another state cross-country championship back to the home of the Tigers.
The junior finished second at the Region IV-2A Boys Cross-Country race Monday in Corpus Christi to qualify for the State Cross-Country Meet Nov. 1 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
Schwandner will run in the Class 2A race at 8:45 a.m.
Schwandner will look to be the second state cross-country champion from Brackettville in the past five years. In 2021 it was senior Abraham Morales who won the state title in convincing fashion with a time of 16:04.40, nearly 16 seconds faster than the runner-up.
Schwandner ran the course in 17:31.71. His time kept him nearly two seconds ahead of the third place finisher, but he was more than five seconds behind the eventual champion, Port Aransas sophomore Shaen Stawar, who was first in 17:26.33.
Schwandner was joined at the meet by a full Tigers team, but he was the only runner from Brackett to qualify. Only the top four teams and top 10 individuals not affiliated with a qualified team advanced to the state meet.
Also competing for the Brackett Tigers was Liam Hoehn, who was 66th in 20:28.56; Justin O’Neal, who was 84th in 21:14.82; Eian Nueman, who was 98th in 21:48.60; Ande Rendon, who was 124th in 22:55.52; Cody Smith, who was 129th in 23:09.95; and Ector Willis, who was 169th in 27:48.59.
As a team, the Tigers finished 14th overall. Mason won the team title with 81 points followed by Port Aransas with 95. Agua Dulce was third with 138 points, and San Antonio Stacey was fourth with 172 points.
The Tigerettes also competed at the regional meet, finishing 18th overall. None of the team’s runners qualified individually for the state meet.
Ana Mesas was the team’s top finisher. She was 35th in a time of 14:54.63.
Mesas was joined at the meet by Asa Ahr, who was 103rd in 16:31.59; Hannah Arreola, who was 105th in 16:34.99; Jasmyn Graves, who was 124th in 17:01.92; Alli Guidry, who was 129th in 17:16.59; Calista Perez, who was 131st in 17:23.11; and Kaylene Smith, who was 157th in 21:43.20.
Goldthwaite took the team title with 57 points led by sophomore Payten McGee who took first in 12:55.13.
Mason was second with 128 points followed by Mumford with 138 points and Weimar with 148 points.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
