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Elgin High School’s cross country program is having one of its best seasons in recent memory.
With surging roster numbers and standout performances across both boys and girls teams, the Wildcats are back on the Central Texas map for the first time since the early 2000s. Elgin is halfway through its competition season and travels to the Camp Tejas Invitational in Giddings Sept. 25.
“The energy this season is contagious,” fifth-year girls head coach Jessica Stone said. “The kids’ motivation and standards for themselves have increased so much.”
Leading the boys’ side is sophomore Erik Trevino, who won the Floyd Farms Invitational earlier this season and took first at the Sept. 17 Lake Belton Bronco Invitational in Temple with a time of 16:19.
“The potential is unlimited with this kid,” second-year boys head coach Alvis Prince said. “He’s already emerging as a leader. He knows what he wants and he’s dedicated to getting there.”
Junior Henri Yax-Jocal, running with Elgin since his freshman year, also medaled at Floyd Farms and has grown into his talent this season, according to coaches.
“He’s improved a lot, but also just become a big team leader and encourager,” Stone said. “He’s really dedicated and he works extremely hard, both in cross country and his academics.”
While the boys are making waves with veteran leadership, the Lady Wildcats squad is building a history of its own.
On the girls’ side, freshman Ma’Kiah Hodges won the JV race in her first outing as a Lady Cat with a time of 13:13, breaking Elgin’s school record for the two-mile run.
Throughout the season, the team has come to rely on the motivation given by freshmen Meilany Morales and Lucy Avelar. The duo have drawn praise for their week-over-week improvements and pushing the entire team to explore personal new heights.
“They’ve just been a really good asset to the team,” Stone said. “They have stepped up and impressed me this year, as far as freshmen goes, because the work ethic is unbelievable.”
