There is only one meet left before the cross country state championships, and that is the Region III meet. Saturday at North Harris College, the top three teams and top 10 individuals from each district will compete with hopes of qualifying for the state tournament.

Winning the boys district 17-5A meet for the second year in a row was Strake Jesuit with a score of 24. On Saturday, the Crusaders will attempt to defend their Region III title.

“The region is going to be very, very tough this year. Obviously Kingwood is going to be very tough. Mayde Creek will be very tough. Cinco Ranch is going to be right up in there, along with Clear Lake and Memorial,” Strake Jesuit head coach Michael Kerley said.

The Crusaders have grown the last few years since joining the University Interscholastic League in 2003. A sophomore-laden team placed ninth in 2004, then Strake Jesuit was fourth in 2005.

“And now we have a group that is pretty decent running on Saturday," Kerley said. Two of the boys that were on the team last year placed in the top 20. And our number one runner was hurt last year, but he’s back this year (and will be) running on Saturday. So we think we’ve got a pretty good shot.”

Also competing for the boys in district 17-5A is Cypress Falls, whose Blake Shaw finished first (15:57.50) in the district meet, and Cy-Fair. In the girls division, District 17-5A will send Cy-Fair, Cypress Falls and Cypress Woods.

Teams from District 19-5A are no strangers to the regional meet. Memorial’s girls have won the district 12 straight times, and the boys have won it the last four years.

The girls scored 17 points in the district meet, taking the top three spots. The Mustangs will advance to Saturday’s meet, along with Stratford and MacArthur. The Mustang boys scored 24 points in their district meet and will also be joined by MacArthur and Stratford.

Scoring a perfect 15 points and taking the top eight spots at district 21-5A’s meet were the girls from Kingwood, with Kirsten Hanselka (11:38.90) leading the group. The boys also had an impressive score of 18, taking the top seven of eight total spots. The girls’ team will be joined by Baytown Sterling and Humble.

The boys will be joined by Atascocita and Channelview.

District 18-5A’s girls winner was Cinco Ranch.  They will be joined by the Cougar boys, who placed second at the district meet, behind Mayde Creek.  Third place finisher Katy Taylor will round out the 18-5A boys entries.

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