Bridgeland Girls Make History With First-Ever CFISD Cross Country State Title
In a moment that will be etched into Cypress-Fairbanks ISD sports history, the Bridgeland High School girls’ cross country team captured the Class 6A state championship on November 1, 2025, at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas. The Bears not only brought home their school’s first team state title in cross country, but also delivered CFISD’s first-ever gold in the sport, ending Flower Mound High School’s dominant six-year winning streak.
With a commanding team score of 38 points, Bridgeland secured the victory through a combination of strategic execution and sheer heart. Leading the charge was senior Rowan Saacke, finishing 5th overall with a time of 17:40.00, closely followed by junior Hope Smith (6th, 17:44.60) and senior Susan Rawls (9th, 17:59.90). Rounding out the scoring lineup were seniors Alexandra Montgomery (22nd, 18:23.10) and Haley Hill (27th, 18:29.20), while junior teammates Kate Garrison and Brynlee Weston also played key roles in the team’s dominant showing.
“I’m extremely proud of the girls for stepping up on the biggest stage,” said Tom Kennedy, Bridgeland’s head girls’ cross country coach. “They beat a nationally ranked Flower Mound team by executing the race plan perfectly. This is a really special group that made school and district history by earning the first cross country state title at Bridgeland and in CFISD.”
Bridgeland Boys Also Shine on the State Stage
It wasn’t just the Lady Bears making waves in Round Rock. The Bridgeland boys’ cross country team also climbed the podium, earning third place for the second consecutive year. Senior Griffen Saacke led the way with an individual bronze medal finish in 14:52.30, anchoring a tightly packed team performance with Layton Carlisle (16th), Patricio Navarro (26th), Dean Rosales (60th), Kyle Pawlak (62nd), and Maddox McCallister (92nd) all pushing through with solid times.
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“The entire Bridgeland boys’ cross country program and I are extremely excited for the success of Coach Kennedy and the girls’ team,” said Kevin Waters, Bridgeland boys’ head cross country coach. “We had the same goal this year and while we are disappointed by the end result, we are extremely proud of being on the podium for the second year in a row in third place. I am extremely proud of the guys and their efforts throughout the season.”
Waters also noted that the team isn’t done yet — with the Nike Cross Regional series ahead, the Bears have their sights set on qualifying for nationals.
More CFISD Standouts Leave Their Mark at State
Beyond Bridgeland, several other CFISD runners delivered standout performances on the state’s biggest cross country stage.
Cypress Woods High School senior Laney Barnes captured the silver medal in the girls’ race, finishing in 17:09.60 after a season of dominance that included individual district and regional titles.
“I was just thrilled to see Laney have the season that she has had and to see her finish second at state was just tremendous,” said Greg Zarate, Cypress Woods head cross country coach. “Her season is by far one of the greatest in our cross country program here at Cy Woods.”
Cypress Creek’s Joaquin Miranda made his second state appearance and crossed the line in 16:01.40, securing 59th place. Cypress Lakes senior Aden Ortega earned his first trip to state and clocked a 16:13.20 finish — a personal best and new school record.
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District-Wide Pride in CFISD Cross Country Excellence
From record-breaking performances to historic team wins, the 2025 UIL Cross Country State Championships marked a proud moment for the entire CFISD community.
“I’m so impressed with the cross country teams of CFISD,” said Mike McEachern, CFISD athletic director. “I know the time and training it takes for runners and understand their commitment to their sport. The cross country coaches are so dedicated to their sport and their athletes, and it really showed on the biggest stage.”
As Bridgeland’s girls make their mark in the history books and the district’s runners continue to compete at the highest levels, one thing is clear: CFISD’s cross country future is strong, spirited, and ready to keep running forward.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
