Guyer's Ruel Newberry takes Region I cross country title; Flower Mound girls win team crown

Denton Guyer junior Ruel Newberry claimed the individual title at the UIL Class 6A Region I cross country championship in Lubbock on Monday. He completed the 5,000-meter course at Mae Simmons Park in 14:35.5, a result that secures his spot at the state meet in Round Rock on Friday, Nov. 6.

The finish fit a season that had already drawn attention. Dallas Morning News coverage of the regional meets noted that Newberry's June two-mile of 8:46.69 is the fastest high school time ever recorded in Texas, set after the UIL track season had closed.

Flower Mound's girls had a commanding day. The Lady Jags scored 55 points to win the team title, 48 ahead of Keller, and Adeline Bennett and Liana Cluley-Garza finished first and second individually in 17:31.3 and 17:34.5. Flower Mound coach Andrew Cook had said before the season that his teams were "laser-focused" on reaching state.

The boys' race also sent local runners onward. Flower Mound's boys took fourth with 154 points and will head to Round Rock, while Denton Guyer's boys finished ninth. Guyer's Anneliese Hull, who placed 17th at regionals, is also expected to compete at state, so several southern Denton County teams will make the trip south.

Original reporting by the Cross Timbers Gazette; background on Newberry's June time from Dallas Morning News coverage of the regional meets.