Woodbridge Sweepstakes Champions Have Not Lost A Step Despite Graduating Some Of Its Best Athletes

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Ken Martinez Photo

Heading into the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic last month in Irvine, Calif., Lewisville Flower Mound Texas head coach Andrew Cook didn’t talk to his team about winning the girls sweepstakes title.

It wasn’t because he didn’t think his team wasn’t capable. More so, winning wasn’t on his mind.  

“The funny thing, all the other years going in we’ve talked about trying to win,” Cook said. “And this year we didn't even mention it. One of the girls said, ‘Hey, what do you think we can do, coach? And I said honestly, I don't know? Top five would be great!” 

Historically, as a team and individually, Flower Mound has been one of the top contenders at the prestigious meet with the likes of Natalie Cook and twins Nicole and Samantha Humphries – all running collegiately now – at the forefront. In 2021 the Jaguars had their best finish – runner-up – losing to Newbury Park by six points with Natalie Cook finishing third overall. 

This year, a lesser known group of runners on a national scale (ranked No. 21 to start the season), have proved to be better than a lot of outsiders, and maybe even insiders, anticipated.

Under the lights at Irvine's Great Park, Flower Mound senior Alexandra Fox led the way as the Jaguars put three runners  in the top 20 to score 92 points and claim the Bob Day Sweepstakes team title. They became the first girls team from Texas to win the prestigious title.

“To be the first team from Texas is definitely very special,” Cook said. “I mean there were so many great teams from California and really a lot of teams from Colorado and other states, so to win was a big deal. I think for them (the girls) it showed them that there's more there and they can compete with these girls.” 

The team will look to win the program’s fifth consecutive Texas state title on Friday, Nov. 1. The path to another crown begins with Districts this Friday, Oct. 11 at North Lakes Park in Denton. 

“You never want to take a step back,” Cook said. “So I think that first and foremost our main goal (this year) was how we can get back on top of the podium.”

With the graduation of the Humphries sisters, now at Oregon, finding an identity and leadership were top priorities. 

“For me, a big thing is culture,” Cook said. “I've had some really great top athletes before and some walk-ons and they leave, and it does hurt, but it’s not only their performance that you miss but also their leadership. I think that was something that was pretty concerning to me, and so I think I have to give a lot of credit to the senior girls to get this thing going. They could easily have said, ‘OK we lost the stars, whatever happens, happens.’ But they were very determined this summer, and really going back to the spring, they had that in the back of their mind, ‘Hey, we want to continue to work hard, be a good team, and try and fight for another state championship.’”

Woodbridge’s results have been indicative of Flower Mound’s identity this year – a close-knit, strong, and determined group, ready to take on challenges.

The Jaguars have zoomed up to No. 2 in the national rankings, behind Mountain Vista of Colorado.

Fox, who has been one of the team’s top runners for a few seasons, has been supported this fall by senior Ava Cole and sophomore Adeline Bennett.

At the Nike South Invitational in The Woodlands in late September, Bennett, a sophomore, took the win in 17:57.40, while Cole was second (18:01.40). Sophomore Liana Cluley-Garza, who finished in the top 40 at Woodbridge, has also stepped into a more prominent role this fall. 

“I think it's kind of fun for them to have a new role on the team,” Cook said. “Fox has always been one of our top girls but Addy (Bennett) and Cole were kind of like on a basketball team, role players, and very important ones, and now they are carrying the torch for us and pushing for us. I think they've really enjoyed it and are having fun with it.”

What also makes this team different is that the expectation and overall focus isn’t winning at all costs. Cook said the pressure, preseason rankings, all of the outside noise, wasn’t as loud as perhaps before. Instead, this squad has been enjoying the process. 

“We've had close teams before but I feel like that is probably more of the focus this year,” Cook said. “I think we've kind of known we may not be able to hammer people right up front maybe like we've done in years past, though they've done a great job of that right now, but I think it's been more focused on the team part of it. I think that kind of made the difference, whether that's in a workout, trying to work together in a workout or supporting each other in other ways.”

With the postseason already here, and the journey to a possible trip to Nike Cross Nationals in December, Flower Mound knows the blueprint for success in Texas and what it takes to experience it nationally.

The team’s best finish was in 2022 when it placed sixth overall. But for now, the Jaguars are enjoying defining what success means and looks like to them. 

“We do a good job of keeping the big picture. We aren't going to go out there and workouts that are just going to be lights out fast,” Cook said.  “We’re not trying to race in practice but just stay focused on the big picture and big goals.”