CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi-area high school runners have qualified for the UIL 5A State Cross Country Championship after strong performances at the Region IV meet held at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Athletes from all six area high schools competed over two days of racing that saw conditions range from blue skies to heavy downpour. The qualifiers will compete at the State Championship in Round Rock.
CCISD Girls advancing to State
- Elaina Lucido (12) — Corpus Christi Carroll — 9th place out of 178 runners
- Payton Catt (12) — Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial — 17th place out of 178 runners
CCISD Boys advancing to State
The Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial boys team advanced after finishing 3rd place overall. The team's runners placed as follows:
- Trey Llanes (12) — 7th place out of 182 runners
- Jax Haller (11) — 22nd place out of 182 runners
- Eli Alba (11) — 29th place out of 182 runners
- Jared Hernandez (12) — 35th place out of 182 runners
- Reece Lebrecht (11) — 58th place out of 182 runners
- Noah Nunez (12) — 101st place out of 182 runners
- Wyatt Alstrup (9) — 134th place out of 182 runners
In addition, Calhoun Cason (12) of Corpus Christi Ray advanced after finishing 14th place out of 182 runners.
UIL 5A State meet information
- Location: Old Settlers Park, Round Rock, Texas
- Date: November 7, 2026
- Times: Girls 5A at 8:15 a.m., Boys 5A at 8:45 a.m.
The Coastal Bend will be sending runners to State across multiple divisions. Agua Dulce's Ethan Cadena won the UIL 2A Cross Country Region meet. Port Aransas boys and girls won the team UIL 2A Region IV title. The runners on both teams will compete at State on Nov. 6. The boys at 10:10 a.m. and the girls at 9:30 a.m.
The UIL 2A Region IV girls champion goes to Port A's Leah DePiper.. Her teammate Autumn Lafayette finished third. The Skidmore-Tynan girls team placed third and qualified for State for their third consecutive year. Sarah Pena was their leading runner, and she placed fourth overall. Ben Bolt's Miranda Brooke Garcia finished sixth to qualify for State.
In 4A, Tuloso-Midway's boys team advances to State. Colton Anderwald finished second at Region, followed by Devon Alaniz in third. They'll run at State on Nov. 6 at 11:25 a.m.
Also in 4A, Robstown's Bianca Bosquez shattered her own school record of 11:29, set last year, with a new record time of 11:09.
In 3A, two West Oso girls punched their ticket to State. Congratulations to the Torres sisters.
