Three years ago, head coach Jason Torres inherited a Harker Heights boys cross country team that had two participants.
On Thursday, the Knights hustled around the dew-drenched course at the Heart of Texas Soccer Complex in Waco and won what is believed to be the program’s first district championship.
Seniors Christion Meiners and Cody Zimmerman, the two runners from Torres’ first season, finished second and third, respectively, to lead four Knights in the top 10 in the 12-6A meet, and Heights’ 38 total points bested runner-up Temple by 17.
The top-five finishing runners on each team count toward the final team score. Waco Midway placed third to nab the league’s third automatic regional qualifier spot. Shoemaker was fourth, Copperas Cove fifth and Bryan sixth.
“I will say that’s it’s just the consistency that we put in at practice, and we have gained some very talented guys in our program over the last few years,” said Meiners, who crossed the line in 16 minutes, 1.68 seconds. “This year, everyone has gotten better, practices were better, paces were better and everything clicked.”
The top three teams and individuals in the top 10 qualified for the Class 6A Region II meet Oct. 21 in Arlington. It was the Knights’ second consecutive regional berth as a team.
Bryan’s Diego Duran claimed the individual title in 15:35.47, taking control of the 3-mile race about 2 miles into the jaunt.
Cody Zimmerman posted 16:10.38, Blake Zimmerman was sixth in 16:40.01 and Kealin Sandifer took 10th in 16:57.10. Rounding out the Knights’ scoring runners was Tanner McIntosh-Richter (18th, 17:31.19). Also for Heights, Shane Postoak finished 21st and Matthew Gruber 26th.
“They’ve worked really hard for this. They knew something special was coming up this season after the first or second meet, and everyone started to buy into it,” Torres said. “Three years ago, we had two boys. This year we had more than 30 compete. They committed to the early practices, 6 a.m., five days a week, then getting those long runs in 
on Saturdays.
“But it’s more than just having talented kids here. The culture we have within the team is strong,” Torres added. “They are extremely good kids, good in the class, and well-behaved kids –– kids that don’t put up excuses. It’s been a blessing to see how they’ve grown the last few years.”
Adding to a slew of medals for Killeen ISD runners were: Shoemaker’s Matthew Patterson (12th), David Bluhm (14th) and Blessed Enow (19th), and Killeen High’s Jacob Roman (16th).
In the girls race, Shoemaker surged to its own history, advancing to regionals as a team for what is likely the first time in school history.
Boosted by top-10 performances from Kahlia Woodley (ninth, 20:15.47) and Cameron Roberts (10th, 20:16.09), the Lady Grey Wolves compiled 78 points. Temple won the team title and Waco Midway was second. Harker Heights placed fourth.
“It’s amazing. It’s a blessing. We are blessed to have the coaches we have to help us get here. And the support from the team and everyone’s families helped push us and motivated us to do our best, and got us to this point to make history,” said Roberts, who, along with Woodley, was an individual regional qualifier a year ago. “There’s definitely a big sense of family with this team.”
Brianna Hill (14th), Kimberly Trevino (29th) and Jalaiya Johnson (31st) also scored points for Shoemaker.
“It’s really exciting. Their hard work and dedication in practice, it just goes to show that it all pays off. These girls are a great representation of what Shoemaker is all about,” SHS girls cross country coach Tayona Arnold said. “The buy-in that these girls have had this year has made a really big difference. They are doing extra work outside of practice, they act like a team and do everything together.”
Even more KISD runners placed in the top 20 to earn medals.
Killeen High’s Deja Brooks (20:26.29) was 11th, and Harker Heights’ Makayla Otto (21:26.88) and Charlotte Krider (22:01.90) were 16th and 18th.
“I am proud of myself. That was my biggest (personal record). I got to a 20 (minute) 3-mile,” Brooke said. “Me and my mom were talking about it and I said, ‘I cannot run a 20(minute) 3-mile.’ But, I did, and I’m just excited for next year knowing that I was one spot away from qualifying this year.”
Full district meet results: https://tinyurl.com/4nrr9xhp
More photos: https://tinyurl.com/y4dy87fj