A thin veil of mist covers the ground as runners take their place at the starting line. As they start to run, heavy breaths begin, as well as the pounding of hearts, each runner eager to do their best.

On Oct.10, 2025, the Texas High Cross Country team competed in the District 10-5A meet in Hallsville, Texas. Two of many runners on the team, seniors Lizzie Sharp and Devan Aubrey, achieved their personal goals of advancing to regionals.

“While I was running, I was trying to [stay] motivated,” Sharp said. “I [also] made it my goal to pass a certain number of people every mile or so.”

Sharp believes that coach Danielle Aubrey fuelled her advancement to regionals. 

¨When I turned the last corner, Coach Aubrey was yelling at me, and I knew I needed to pick [my pace] up,¨ Sharp said. ¨Trying to pass people was my main motivation.¨ 

Similar to Sharp, Devan Aubrey remains thankful for his coaches’ time spent in preparing him.

“[My coaches] prepared me by giving me a pep talk,” Devan Aubrey said. “[They] told me what I needed to do to stay in between [the] top twenty [runners]. They all gave me hope.”

Aubrey hopes to do his best at regionals, and strives to accomplish his goals.

“I hope I can achieve placing in the top five, or at least top 10 to make it to state,” Devan Aubrey said. “[I believe] I can do better than I did at my last race.”

Regionals will be held on Oct. 20, 2025  in Arlington, Texas. Administrators, as well as TISD coaches, feel eager to see their student-athletes compete.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the growth of each athlete, not just in performance, but in character, confidence, and determination,” Danielle Aubrey said. “Celebrating their successes, big and small, makes all the effort worthwhile.”