Brady Axtell, La Porte

The senior placed 29th at the Class 5A state meet last with a mark of 16:12.40. Axtell helped the Bulldogs to a ninth-place finish as a team at state as their top finisher and will be the top returning runner for La Porte next year. He is a natural athlete. Axtell is also a promising prospect on the basketball court.

Zade Kayyali, Friendswood

The junior placed 26th at the Class 5A state meet last year with a time of 16:05.0. Along with senior Seth Thompson, Kayyali will make Friendswood a force in Region III cross country this year. Zayyali also runs track and plays soccer. He made it to state in the 3200 run in the spring.

Seth Thompson, Friendswood

Thompson performed admirably at the Class 5A state meet last year, finishing 33rd with a time of 16:15.4. The senior helped the Mustangs to a fourth place finish as a team at the 2020 state meet.

Alex Linden, Friendswood

The senior helped the Mustangs finish 15th overall at the Class 5A state meet last year. Linden placed 82nd with a time of 20:31.9 and will be the Mustangs’ top returning runner this year.

Madison Hill, Clear Falls

The junior finished 98th overall at state last year, running a time of 19:34.8 as a sophomore. Hill finished fourth at the District 24-6A meet last year as Clear Falls claimed the girls team title. Hill got her career at Falls off to a great start, helping the Lady Knights to state as a team.