By Jeff Jenkins

November 11, 2014

St. Thomas' Episcopal has cemented its status as one of the state's premier boys cross country programs.

The Saints recently regained the TAPPS Class 3A state title after reeling off four straight championships from 2009-2012.

Even St. Thomas' Episcopal head coach Bret Ramsey finds it hard to believe.

"Mostly, I feel very blessed and thankful for all the success we've had," Ramsey said. "To think we would win five out of the last six years is more than I could have imagined."

St. Thomas' Episcopal's latest title was a bit closer than its more recent ones. The Saints tallied 49 points to hold off Schertz John Paul II with 66 and rival Red Oak Ovilla Christian with76.

It was truly a team effort, with five St. Thomas' Episcopal runners in the top 20.

Leading the way was senior Benton Graves, who placed fifth in the boys' 5-kilometer race in 17:51.6.

Junior Adrian Fetterley was next in sixth in 17:54.1, followed by senior Matthew Hrncir in 12th in 18:19.3, junior Saagar Pateder in 17th in 18:56.4 and senior Kyle Lin in 20th in 18:59.2.

Other finishers included sophomores Riley Moran (24th, 19:11.7) and Christopher Han (48th, 20:33.4).

Ramsey credited the leadership of Graves and Hrncir for keeping the Saints on track.

"They really pushed everyone to do their best when it counted the most," Ramsey said.

Unfortunately, Ramsey wasn't able to assemble a full girls' team. But St. Thomas' Episcopal should be better next year, with junior Kelly Parish and freshman Jian Liang coming back.

Parish was 22nd in the girls' 3,200-meter race in a time of 14:02.8. Liang was 28th in 14:21.8.

More Information

STE file

Distance dynasty: For the fifth time in six years, the St. Thomas' Episcopal boys cross country team captured the TAPPS Class 3A state title. Leading the way was senior Benton Graves, who came in fifth overall. Also placing in the top 20 for the Saints were seniors Matthew Hrncir and Kyle Lin and juniors Adrian Fetterley and Saagar Pateder.

http://www.chron.com/default/article/St-Thomas-Episcopal-debuts-at-No-1-in-state-5886464.php

Photo By: Jerry Baker, Freelance