Monitor Photo/Kaylee Tracy
Felicity Torres immediately seeks out her fellow teammate and district champ, junior Trista Etheridge, for a celebratory embrace after both qualify for state competition at the regional cross-country competition Oct. 24. 

Monitor Photo/Kaylee Tracy
Senior State qualifier Korban Murphy finishes strong in 11th place.

JOE POOL LAKE–Mabank Cross Country competed at regionals Oct. 24 in the frigid rain and slippery mud, gaining fifth place overall as a team with three runners advancing to state.
Junior Trista Etheridge started the race at an even pace, with few girls pulling ahead. Having run a 12:09 two-mile at district, she was determined to improve her time and qualify for state.
“The rain started to pick up and the cold got worse, I almost slipped mid-race and I had to adjust my steps as I came up the hills because it was easy to fall.” Etheridge said.
Etheridge not only guaranteed a spot in the state meet, but sped into first place for the region, running an 11:38 and winning a gold medal for her efforts.
Senior Felicity Torres crossed the finish line in 13th place, qualifying for state with a time of 12:28.
Finishing strong for the boys was senior Korbin Murphy, stepping into 11th place with a 5K run time of 17:53.
The state qualifiers for Mabank will run Nov. 4 in Round Rock at Old Settlers Park.