Runnin’ Bucks headed to state
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The Alpine Runnin’ Bucks are headed to state. The girls’ varsity team consisting of seniors Mia Morris and Tannin Ritchie, junior Hope Dominguez, sophomores Emy Hernandez and Megan Struthers, and freshmen Colette Fowlkes and Molly Garrett competed in the Region 1-3A Cross Country Championship on Monday in Lubbock. Four teams of 24 advance to the state competition from Region One. The girls were ranked in the top six teams in the region but were not considered one of the favorites to advance. But the girls led by Mia Morris and Emy Hernandez grabbed the third-place team spot, much to the surprise of some, advancing to the State Cross Country Championship. Alpine has had some great runners and teams in the past with several individuals advancing to the state meet under both Coach Keith and Coach Cason but the Runnin’ Bucks have not advanced as a team in recent memory. Mia Morris ran a 12:31 on a difficult hilly Lubbock course placing fourth amongst 2023 state track caliber distance runners. Emy Hernandez ran a personal best of 13:28 in 19th place.