Sports Update
Long may you run: Boyd runner Miller qualifies for state meet
By Richard C. White, rwhite@starlocalnews.com
McKinney Boyd cross country runner Aaliyah Miller has advanced to the Class 5A state meet after registering a qualifying time in the 5K at Saturday's Region II championships from Vandergriff Park in Arlington.
Miller will now compete with the best runners in the state and she's only a freshman.
"She's done a heck of a job, especially for a freshman. We just wish we could clone her," said Laura Keahey, Boyd girls cross country head coach. "Our region is really competitive. There are several teams each year that always crank out really good runners. The fact that she was able to go in as a freshman and run so well is a big deal."
Miller finished fifth in the 5K with a time of 17:39.00. Next stop for Miller is the state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
Given Miller's talent, her age surprised many of her competitors.
"A lot of people at the meet assumed she was a senior," Keahey said. "It's a good feeling having her on the team for the next three years, having her be the foundation for the teams we're going to build. She's a key piece."
Keahey likes Miller's chances heading into Saturday's state meet.
"I think [Miller] has got a great chance to place in the Top 10," she said. "I think she's got a good shot. She really is that talented. She's obviously naturally gifted, but she's also a hard worker. The fact that she's got that work ethic on top of her talent, it's invaluable to a program."
Boyd was further represented in Saturday's action by senior Kyle Love, who finished 50th in the boys' meet with a time of 16:26.20. Less than 26 seconds behind Love was teammate Clayton Baker (16:51.30). McKinney junior Matt Fontillas (17:07.80) represented the Lions in the regional meet.
In addition to Love and Baker, Boyd showed its depth with five other runners competing on the boys side in the regional meet, including junior Will Miller (17:09.30), freshman Joseph Vilches (17:21.30), sophomore Landon Burdette (17:35.80) junior Devon Lord (17:47.10) and sophomore Michael Meadors (17:47.80). As a team, the Broncos finished 14th.
Other area participants in the girls regional championships included McKinney North sophomore Elise Schraer, who finished 36th in the Class 4A Region II meet. Schraer finished with a time of 20:09.30.
Also joining Schaer were fellow Lady Bulldogs Keirsyn McDaniel (20:25.00) who finished 46th, and Sadie Decker (20:25.00), who came in 47th in addition to teammates Leslie Davis (20:48.00), Sabrina Rodriguez (20:53.50), Annelise D'Annibale (20:59.20) and Halie Jansson (21:38.60). As a team, the Lady Broncos finished 8th out of the 21-team field.
For the Bulldogs on the boys side, North senior John Molera finished 58th with a time of 17:07.00. Molera was joined by teammates Josh Teese (17:28.10), Dominick Fabian (17:35.30), Nelson Alvarenga (17:50.80), Zac Helms (17:53.80), Roman Loper (17:55.80) and Garrett Long (18:00.50). The Bulldogs finished 14th as a team.
Miller will now compete with the best runners in the state and she's only a freshman.
"She's done a heck of a job, especially for a freshman. We just wish we could clone her," said Laura Keahey, Boyd girls cross country head coach. "Our region is really competitive. There are several teams each year that always crank out really good runners. The fact that she was able to go in as a freshman and run so well is a big deal."
Miller finished fifth in the 5K with a time of 17:39.00. Next stop for Miller is the state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
Given Miller's talent, her age surprised many of her competitors.
"A lot of people at the meet assumed she was a senior," Keahey said. "It's a good feeling having her on the team for the next three years, having her be the foundation for the teams we're going to build. She's a key piece."
Keahey likes Miller's chances heading into Saturday's state meet.
"I think [Miller] has got a great chance to place in the Top 10," she said. "I think she's got a good shot. She really is that talented. She's obviously naturally gifted, but she's also a hard worker. The fact that she's got that work ethic on top of her talent, it's invaluable to a program."
Boyd was further represented in Saturday's action by senior Kyle Love, who finished 50th in the boys' meet with a time of 16:26.20. Less than 26 seconds behind Love was teammate Clayton Baker (16:51.30). McKinney junior Matt Fontillas (17:07.80) represented the Lions in the regional meet.
In addition to Love and Baker, Boyd showed its depth with five other runners competing on the boys side in the regional meet, including junior Will Miller (17:09.30), freshman Joseph Vilches (17:21.30), sophomore Landon Burdette (17:35.80) junior Devon Lord (17:47.10) and sophomore Michael Meadors (17:47.80). As a team, the Broncos finished 14th.
Other area participants in the girls regional championships included McKinney North sophomore Elise Schraer, who finished 36th in the Class 4A Region II meet. Schraer finished with a time of 20:09.30.
Also joining Schaer were fellow Lady Bulldogs Keirsyn McDaniel (20:25.00) who finished 46th, and Sadie Decker (20:25.00), who came in 47th in addition to teammates Leslie Davis (20:48.00), Sabrina Rodriguez (20:53.50), Annelise D'Annibale (20:59.20) and Halie Jansson (21:38.60). As a team, the Lady Broncos finished 8th out of the 21-team field.
For the Bulldogs on the boys side, North senior John Molera finished 58th with a time of 17:07.00. Molera was joined by teammates Josh Teese (17:28.10), Dominick Fabian (17:35.30), Nelson Alvarenga (17:50.80), Zac Helms (17:53.80), Roman Loper (17:55.80) and Garrett Long (18:00.50). The Bulldogs finished 14th as a team.
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