This year, the Sealy Cross Country program sent three harriers to the state UIL meet in Round Rock. Next year, Sealy Head Cross Country Coach Danielle Eschenburg is looking to get both of her teams qualified for the state meet.

“I know that our teams want to get there together. The rest of the cross-country program was excited for our runners and saw what it is going to take to get there next year as a team. I think that will be the running theme next year as we go through the season,” Eschenburg said.

This year, Sealy had three participants in the state cross country meet. Gavin Almaguer, Fernando Garza and Ria Torres all advanced to the state meet in Round Rock.

All three of Sealy’s runners put up strong performances at the state meet where they faced off with the state’s best cross-country runners and came away with very respectful finishes.

Gavin Almaguer finished in 53rd place with a time of 16:56.5 while Fernando Garza finished in 62nd place with a time of 17:07.2.

Ria Torres finished in 54th place with a time of 12:29.1.

“All three of our runners have been to the state meet before, and each one took time off of their previous runs. They finished within the top 40% and really gave it all they had,” Eschenburg said.

Eschenburg said she was pleased with how her runners performed at the state meet because getting to the meet is a challenge within itself.

“Just making it to state is a big deal, but they went into their run really focused. I was very pleased with their times and how well they ran at the meet,” Eschenburg said.