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South Region Girls Early Season Rankings 2023Published by
Flower Mound, Southlake Carroll and Lucas Lovejoy all have aspirations to return to Portland, providing plenty of excitement in Texas, with Bentonville seeking big breakthrough for Arkansas By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR South Preview It wasn’t just the usual Texas two-step last year at Nike Cross Nationals, but a trio of girls programs from the Lone Star State representing the South Region at Glendoveer Golf Course, all of which placed in the top 15. The return appearances of Flower Mound and Southlake Carroll, along with the debut of Lucas Lovejoy marked only the third time the region has had more than two qualifiers in a single year, joining four entries in 2008 and three teams in 2013. There is a strong possibility for another Texas trifecta this fall, as Flower Mound looks to build off its sixth-place finish in Portland, Southlake Carroll pursues a return to the top 10 following an 11th-place performance last season and Lucas Lovejoy now has the experience to elevate its program as well after a 14th-place effort in Oregon. After Tupelo High of Mississippi qualified for Nike Team Nationals in 2006, Texas has accounted for every girls team advancing from the region since, contributing to the state’s 35 overall entries racing in Portland in meet history. Southlake Carroll has accounted for 14 appearances, including the only two podium finishes for the state, placing third in 2006 and runner-up in 2012. Flower Mound, with perhaps the most formidable trio in the country in senior twin sisters Nicole Humphries and Samantha Humphries, along with junior Alexandra Fox, is looking to end Texas’ podium drought this year. Bentonville has the best potential to achieve a breakthrough as the first girls qualifier for Arkansas, with St. Joseph’s Academy of Baton Rouge emerging as the leading contender from Louisiana and Deer Creek seeking a memorable achievement for Oklahoma. Isabel Conde de Frankenberg of Cedar Park, Elizabeth Leachman from Boerne Champion, San Juanita Leal of Edinburg North, Madison Peters from Pearland, Macy Wingard of Denton Braswell and Allie Love of Colleyville Heritage are Texas athletes with the potential to qualify individually to race at NXN. Liesel Kehoe of Edmond North High in Oklahoma advanced to NXN last season following a third-place regional finish, before taking 23rd overall in Oregon. Haley Loewe of Bentonville, who placed 19th last year at the RunningLane Championships in Alabama, also has the potential to advance as an individual qualifier to compete in Portland.
1. Flower Mound TX. No girls team in state history has ever captured four consecutive titles in the highest classification, but that is the opportunity the Jaguars have this season as they look to extend their streak in 6A following a 42-51 victory last year against Southlake Carroll, with Nicole Humphries, Samantha Humphries and Alexandra Fox sweeping the top three spots in the final. The consistency of the trio has provided Flower Mound the opportunity to match up well against any program in the country, but the Jaguars aren’t overlooking Southlake Carroll and Lucas Lovejoy following a third-place finish at last year’s regional that resulted in an at-large berth to compete at NXN. Natalie Spangher is another senior who provides valuable experience for the Jaguars, with juniors Claire Bettencourt and Ava Cole, sophomores Emma Cheverton and Annalise Murray, in addition to freshmen Eliana Rivera and Megan Schmidt needing to add important depth to Flower Mound’s lineup in order for the group to win its first regional championship since 2018 and earn an automatic berth to advance to Portland for the third time in program history.
2. Southlake Carroll TX. The most decorated girls program in regional history and an eight-time state champion that has won titles in three different classifications, the Dragons are seeking their first 6A crown since 2019 and trying to halt the three-year reign of Flower Mound. Southlake Carroll rebounded from last year’s 6A runner-up finish by prevailing against Flower Mound and Lucas Lovejoy to secure its second straight regional crown. The Dragons are also looking to make a third straight NXN appearance, having advanced in 2019 and again last season following a two-year hiatus for the event as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health of senior Alexandra Walsh will be a significant determining factor in Southlake Carroll’s success, after she overcame several challenges to compete in the postseason last year. Fellow senior Sylvia Schwedler also has the potential to make a profound impact in the Dragons’ lineup, along with juniors Elizabeth Smits and Sarayu Veluri, as well as sophomore Vanessa Vezga. Charlotte Martin and Julia Gassett, both seniors, give Southlake Carroll the necessary depth to survive a challenging schedule in preparation for another impressive postseason run.
3. Lucas Lovejoy TX. After becoming the first 5A girls team in state history to advance to NXN, the Leopards have the ambition to add a regional championship to their resume, and possess the right mixture from the experience of seniors Sara Morefield, Kailey Littlefield and Peyton Benson, in addition to the exciting potential of a sophomore class that includes Camryn Benson, Bridget Bernal, Kaylee Martin, Sofia Dominguez and Jocelyn Chapman. Campbell Lester, a junior, could also develop into a reliable contributor for Lovejoy, which is seeking three straight 5A titles after Boerne Champion secured a pair of championships in 2019-20. Lovejoy isn’t overlooking the Chargers ahead of the 5A final at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, but the Leopards understand the path to return to Portland in December involves being ready to challenge 6A programs Flower Mound and Southlake Carroll at the regional meet.
4. Austin Vandegrift TX. There was a significant gap last year involving the podium programs and the Vipers at both the 6A state final and the regional championship, despite Austin Vandegrift placing fourth at both meets. But there is plenty of motivation for Austin Vandegrift to minimize that margin this season, relying on the valuable experience gained from last year. Although Humble Kingwood took third at the state meet behind Flower Mound and Southlake Carroll, Austin Vandegrift rebounded well at the regional final, with the Mustangs finishing seventh. The Vipers have the benefit this fall of not graduating any competitors from last year’s postseason roster, led by senior Caitlin Garrett and sophomore Tibbie Mustacchia. In addition, seniors Annie Burton, Kaitlyn Jones and Peyton Wagner provide significant experience for the Austin Vandegrift lineup, which also includes juniors Cate Cloran, Leilani Preciado and Leilani Wagner. There have been 12 Texas girls programs to compete at Nike Team Nationals or NXN, with Lucas Lovejoy joining that list last year. The Vipers or Northwest Nelson might have the potential to achieve a breakthrough this season, especially if the region can secure an at-large berth to race in Oregon.
5. Bentonville AR. The quest for a sixth consecutive 6A state championship is the primary goal for the Tigers, but with an established senior standout in Haley Loewe and a supporting cast that demonstrated significant improvement during the track season, Bentonville could finally end the drought this fall for Arkansas girls programs and secure a berth to race at NXN. The Tigers are scheduled to race at invitational meets in Texas in September, providing them with an early evaluation of their postseason prospects. Bentonville finished fifth last year in the gold race at the RunningLane Championships in Alabama, trailing only Colorado programs Mountain Vista, Cherry Creek and Fossil Ridge, in addition to Mountain View High from Utah, all of which compete in the deepest region in the country in the Southwest. Loewe, who was 19th at RunningLane, is supported by fellow seniors Devyn O’Daniel, Ember Charlton, Macey Hurley and Riley Ammons. Hannah Hansen, a junior, and sophomore Everly O’Daniel give Bentonville a significant advantage when it comes to depth against 6A rival Fayetteville, as well as returning 5A state champion Greenwood. Bentonville and Fayetteville have accounted for the past 10 girls state titles in the highest classification.
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