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Alief Hastings' Angel Ebiringa
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
EYES ON THE PRIZE: Ebiringa brings humble poise to Hastings Cross Country rise
That need evolved into something bigger.
“I came to the conclusion that if I wanted to be effective in that [defensive] role, I’d need the stamina,” Ebiringa said. “That led me to running miles and focusing on distance... which eventually translated into me naturally joining cross country.”
The stars of 2025-26 Alief Hastings Girls Cross CountryJamey Wright (VYPE)
Now, she’s not just part of the team—she’s leading it. Ebiringa’s freshman campaign in 2024 offered a glimpse of what’s to come.
She placed fifth overall at the District 20-6A Meet, clocking in at 20:06.52 in the 5K—one of the top finishes by a Hastings athlete in recent memory.
That performance earned her a trip to the UIL Region III-6A Meet in Huntsville, where she represented the Bears as their lone qualifier. Facing a field of 173 runners, she placed a strong 40th overall.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, expectations for Ebiringa are rising, both internally and within the program. Despite her youth, she enters the fall as the undisputed front-runner for Hastings.
But she hasn’t done it alone. Among her early influences is Bissinatt Abdelasis, the former cross country standout from Alief Elsik who graduated this past spring and now competes for Ouachita Baptist University.
“She (Abdelasis) was so good,” Ebiringa said. “Usually, when you see great players or athletes, they have a lot of pride. But when I spoke to Bissinatt, she was always so humble and had a certain way of composing herself. From there, I thought that if I ever get to that level, then I would stay grounded and just continue to be my best self, similar to what she did.”
That balance—competitive edge with grounded maturity—has already become a hallmark of Ebiringa’s approach. Off the course, she holds herself to the same standard, keeping academics at the forefront thanks in large part to the expectations set by her family.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“My Mom and family expect the best out of me,” she said. “If I wasn’t able to focus in school, then there’s no way I could excel in sports.”
As she continues to grow in her role, Ebiringa also values the chance to show that who she is as a runner isn’t the whole picture.
“There’s a difference between who I am athletically and who I am personally,” she added. “I’ll be serious and locked in when I compete, but I hope people can recognize the contrast. I like to think that my personality and fun side show when that isn’t the case.”
Considering the strong foundation that’s been established and the exceptional room for her to rise, Angel Ebiringa is primed to lead not only by times and titles—but by example.
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Fort Bend Elkins' Jadyn Acuna
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
THE NEXT STEP: Acuna expected to be the new face of Elkins XC moving forward
Acuna enters her third season with the Elkins cross country team following a breakout sophomore campaign, one that firmly established her as a reliable front-runner in the district and a rising name in Class 6A competition.
Her performance at the 2024 District 21-6A Championship Meet marked a highpoint—clocking a personal-best 20:33.00 in the 5K to earn fifth overall. That individual finish proved crucial in lifting the Lady Knights to a third-place team result, securing their advancement into postseason competition.
She followed up that effort with an appearance at the 6A Region III Meet in Huntsville, where she placed 110th out of 173 runners—a valuable step in her development on a bigger stage.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
While the Regional result may not have turned heads, it was the kind of performance that reflects Acuna’s upward trajectory and sets the tone for what’s expected in 2025.
As Elkins reloads for the fall season, head coach Ben Still will undoubtedly be looking to Acuna as the team’s most experienced and battle-tested competitor.
What she lacks in seniority, she makes up for in grit and proven results. And with two years of varsity-level experience already behind her, Acuna is primed to anchor a team that’s aiming to climb the district ranks and push deeper into regional contention.
For Elkins, the fall season begins with plenty of question marks—but the one constant remains clear. Jadyn Acuna is ready to lead the charge.