Texas gets a re-boot for NXN South

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The Woodlands and Southlake Carroll. And vice versa. Year after year. 

In state the size of Texas, which basically encompasses most of an entire Nike Cross Nationals region, two programs have dominated the competition for national championship berths since 2004. And the same two are favored to return again after Saturday's regional meet at The Woodlands. 

Since 2004, The Woodlands boys have run at the national meet 9 out of 11 years. The Southlake Carroll boys have made eight times. All of the other schools in the region, which includes 2009 champion Boerne, have made it nine times combined. 

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The Woodlands and Southlake Carroll remain the standard bearers, and with South#3 Jenks OK choosing not to compete, the odds of another school cracking into the top two is even slimmer. 

On a rainy, muddy day at Round Rock two weeks ago, The Woodlands were dominant behind Daniel Golden and Noah Wells, who went 1-2. The Highlanders scored 24 points to rival Southlake Carroll's 103. 

The Woodlands was so good that is zoomed up the national rankings to No. 5. Anything similar on Saturday makes this time a lock for a return to NXN. 

Southlake Carroll, which had won four straight Texas state titles (2011-14), may have had an off day at state. It would take another off day for them not to advance to NXN. 

Two teams that have reason to bring confidence to the boys regional championship are Flower Mound and College Park, who were within 21 points in the 6A meet. If that's the starting point, both of these teams can realistically figure on the possibility of erasing that margin and nabbing the second spot. 

Carter Blunt and David Strome, two of the state's best individuals, have opted to focus their energy on Foot Locker. So individual slots are up grabs and could yield some surprises.

On the girls side of things, Southlake Carroll has qualified for nationals nine times, Kingwood has made it five times and The Woodlands have gone three times.

This year, Marcus is looking for a return trip after its 78-87 victory over Southlake Carroll in the Class 6A championship. Marcus of Lewisville was better up front, where Quinn Owen and Maddy Reed won their matchups with Southlake Carroll's 1 and 2 runners. SLC was better than Marcus at 4 and 5. 

It could be a close matchup. And Keller, Kingwood, Hebron and Katy Cinco Ranch are not out of it either. If one of those teams has a great day it could land an NXN berth. 

Top individuals Paige Hofstad -- the top returner from both NXN and Foot Locker -- and 6A champion Julia Heymach are not running. Hofstad had to cut her season short because of injuries. Heymach is focusing on Foot Locker.