Friendswood boys capture 4A Region III Cross Country crown

November 9, 2009

   

FRIENDSWOOD — The Friendswood boys cross country team will advance to the state meet on Saturday, November 14 in Round Rock at Old Settler's Park.

Not only did the Mustangs qualify for state, but they won the 4A Region III title with 102 points to finish in front of Lockhart (109) and Magnolia West (114).

Friendswood won the region title for five consecutive years from 2002-2006 - although they have advanced to the state meet for nine consecutive years.

“With as many as six teams in the hunt for the top three places, it was really hard to gauge where we were,” Friendswood coach Steve Haffelder said. “So I think we were all a little surprised to hear our name called at the awards ceremony.”

Senior Brandon Swindler paced the Mustangs with a third-place finish at 15:23. He was just four seconds behind Brenham’s Will Antkowiak, who took first.

Ryan Teel was just behind Swindler and got fourth place. The freshman ran a 16:09. Fellow freshman Levi Kessler got 21 while James Gregory placed 37th and R.J. Lowery took 52nd.

Haffelder said every team member ran a personal best by 10 to 20 seconds.

“It was just a good team showing,” Haffelder said. “It was pretty incredible."

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