The top 14 runners from both the girls and boys cross country team competed at the McNeil Invitational on the 5K course at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock on Saturday, September 29.  With only a couple of weeks to go before districts, Coppell took this opportunity to just run fast with some of the best individuals and teams in the state.  The McNeil Invitational provided insight as to where the team lined up within District 6, Region 1, as well as, the state 6A division.    

The Girls’ team placed 3^rd overall in the Girls Gold division, a field made up of 595 athletes and 73 teams.  The cowgirls were led by junior Shelby Spoor, she finished 28^th overall with a time of 18 minutes, 31.49 seconds.  Maddie Hulcy (44^th, 18:45.2), Morgan Colon (45^th, 18:46.2), Rowan Hassman (59^th, 18:51.9) and Chloe Hassman (73^rd, 18:59.3) rounded out the point scorers for Coppell.

The Boys’ team took 9th place overall in the Boys Gold division, a field made up of 680 athletes and 81 teams.  Sophomore Evan Caswell led the cowboys, he finished 49^th with a time of 15 minutes, 49.3 seconds.  Jackson Walker (51^st, 15:50.4), Marcos Bohn (71^st, 15:57.4), Nathaniel Leach (16:17.5), and Grant Evans (16:27.8) were the top finishers for Coppell.

Coppell finished 7^th overall in the 6A Varsity Girls division.  Freshman Rebecca Centeno led the girls, she finished 12^th place overall with a time of 19 minutes 38.4 seconds. Grace Turman (22^nd, 19:55.9), Jimena Benavides (64^th, 20:58.2), Catherine McKethan (21:11.5), and Elizabeth Miller (21:15.9) also scored for Coppell this week. 

Coppell placed 8^th overall in the 6A Varsity Boys division.  Sophomore Rith Bhattacharyya led the boys, he finished 15^th overall in a time of 16 minutes 44.6 seconds.  Andrew Thompson (22^nd, 16:59.1), Riley Warner (41^st, 17:14.1), Andrew Nester (17:35.9), and Cole Lindbeck (17:41.) made up the point scorers for Coppell.

Both the Girls and Boys team will have to work for what they want as the cross country season winds down.  The District 6-6A Championship and Region 1-6A Championship meets have the potential to hold some intense competition.  The entire team will be back together for the Jesuit Invitational at Norbuck Park in Dallas on Friday, October 5.