STE boys hoping to return to perch in TAPPS Class 3A cross country

By Jeff Jenkins

October 14, 2014

Second place doesn't work for the St. Thomas' Episcopal boys cross country team.

After winning four straight TAPPS state championships from 2009 to 2012, the Saints came in second to Red Oak Ovilla Christian a year ago in Class 3A. St. Thomas' Episcopal head coach Bret Ramsey believes his squad has what it takes to return to the top.

"I think we're faster than we were a year ago," Ramsey said. "Ovilla Christian graduated five seniors, so they're not as strong."

But St. Thomas' Episcopal will have plenty to prove at the TAPPS State Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Waco Connally Middle in Elm Mott.

"We're probably the favorites, but we still have to run a good race," said Ramsey, who considers Red Oak Ovilla Christian and Scherz John Paul II, last year's 2A state champ, are the Saints' main threats.

The Saints' results have been outstanding, with St. Thomas' Episcopal claiming first place at the Lutheran South and Dayton meets and finishing second at Houston Christian's Dave Jantzen Invitational.

Ramsey noted that he was missing a few runners at the recent Bellaire/St. Thomas' Episcopal Invitational at Bear Creek Park, with the Saints slipping to 15th place.

"If we had everyone available, we probably would have been in the top 10," Ramsey said. "It was a tough meet, with public schools like Bellaire, Strake Jesuit and Katy Morton Ranch."

St. Thomas' Episcopal returns five runners who ranked in the top 30 at last year's TAPPS state meet.

Seniors Benton Graves and Matthew Hrncir are regarded as the Saints' premier runners. Hrncir and Graves were ninth and 11th, respectively, at state.

Graves has emerged as the No. 1 after winning the Battleground Invitational at La Porte and at Dayton. He was 24th at the Bellaire/St. Thomas' Episcopal meet.

"Benton has chance to be an individual state champion, but there are a couple of outstanding runners standing in his way," Ramsey said.

Hrncir, a key cog in several of the Saints' title teams, has a shot at a top five finish, according to Ramsey.

Juniors Adrian Fetterley and Saagar Pateder and sophomore Kyle Lin are back. Last season, Fetterley placed 12th at state, while Lin and Pateder were 22nd and 23rd.

Rounding out the team are a pair of sophomores, Riley Moran and Chris Han.

St. Thomas' Episcopal's girls will have a difficult time matching last year's third-place team finish.

"We've had a couple of injuries, so it's hard to predict what will happen," Ramsey said.

Freshman Jian Liang has been a nice surprise, emerging as the Saints' No. 1.

Junior Kelly Parish has been slowed by injuries, but she was 12th at state a year ago.

"I know Kelly's been frustrated with her season," Ramsey said. "She's hoping to be in the top 10. If she's healthy, she has a chance."

For the Saints to land in the top four, several underclassmen must emerge in the coming weeks.

More Information

St. Thomas' Episcopal file

Familiar spot: The St. Thomas' Episcopal boys cross country wasn't thrilled with its runner-up finish at last year's TAPPS Class 3A state meet. The Saints, who reeled off four state titles in a row from 2009-12, will be one of the favorites, led by seniors Benton Graves and Matthew Hrncir.

A little luck: Injuries have slowed the St. Thomas' Episcopal girls cross country team this fall. If the Saints get healthy, they could get close to last year's third-place showing. Leading the way are freshman Jian Liang and junior Kelly Parish.

http://www.chron.com/default/article/Saints-motivated-by-2013-s-runner-up-finish-5822714.php

Photo By: Jerry Baker, Freelance