Cross Country Makes History

 

Cross Country Makes History at TAPPS State Championship

 

There was a crispness in the Waco air, and with it, a sense of destiny. On the rolling greens of Cottonwood Creek Golf Course, the Barons of Saint Mary’s Hall stepped into history, facing off against thirty-four of the best TAPPS 5A programs in the state. What followed was a day of firsts, the kind that rewrite record books and redefine what’s possible.

 

Who Run’s the World?

 

The Women’s Championship two-mile race brought together 170 of the fastest in Texas, but it was the Saint Mary’s Hall Women’s team who made the biggest statement. Ellie Scott ‘28 blazed through the course in 12:36 to finish sixth overall, with teammate Micah Monteleone ‘27 close behind at 12:48 for seventh. Both earned First Team All-State honors, a first for the school. Monteleone and Hannah Rivier ‘27, who finished 15th in 13:31, also claimed Academic All-State distinction, marking another first for the program. The previous best individual showing at State came in 2023, when Anna Vaquiax ‘23 ran 13:21 for a 10th-place finish.

 

The team didn’t stop at individual honors. With grit and heart, they earned a podium finish, taking third overall with just 99 points, four points short of the state title.

 

Also scoring for the Barons were Lela Tabatabai ‘28 (38th, 14:19), Payton Wallace ‘29 (45th, 14:26), Kathryn Tubb ‘26 (48th, 14:35), and Emma Moreira ‘29 (76th, 15:09).

 

Born to Run

 

The Men’s team brought its own brand of brilliance to the course. Freshman Augie Cummings ‘29 ran a masterful 17:09 to finish fourth overall, the highest-ever placing by a Baron in TAPPS State history. His run earned First Team All-State honors and solidified his place among SMH legends, surpassing the previous record set by Chris Chan ‘24 (9th in 2022, 17:04).

 

Behind Cummings, Park Higdon ‘28 (18th, 18:26) and Veeraj Bajaj ‘28 (23rd, 18:38) added crucial top-25 finishes. Rounding out the scoring were Harry Xu ‘26 (93rd, 21:34), Adam Rapoport ‘29 (146th, 23:06), Colston Book ‘29 (154th, 23:38), and Alton Lane ‘28 (160th, 24:28). The effort secured a 7th-place team finish, marking the sixth straight year that the Barons have finished in the State Top 10, a streak of consistency few programs can match.

 

A Triumphant Return

 

When the buses rolled back onto campus, a security escort led the way down Starcrest Drive, sirens flashing in salute. Faculty, parents, and classmates cheered as the team emerged from the bus, with bronze medals and proud smiles telling the story of a day they will never forget.

 

Top Ten Team Results

 

Girls

San Antonio Christian – 95

Grace Community – 96

Saint Mary’s Hall – 99

The Woodlands – 133

Brentwood – 161

Austin Regents – 171

FW Southeast Christian – 191

St. Joseph’s Brownsville – 217

Faith Christian Grapevine – 289

Midland Christian – 297

 

Boys

 

San Antonio Christian – 33

Fort Bend Christian – 92

Midland Christian – 98

Lutheran South – 128

FW Christian – 145

Grace Community – 220

Saint Mary’s Hall – 273

Trinity Lubbock – 277

SW Christian FW – 282

Brentwood – 333