For the first time in five years, a boy from Devine’s cross country team is advancing to state. Junior Xavier Garza is advancing as the only boy from the boys cross country team. Girls cross country also ran at the regional competition as a team and placed eighth out of 24 teams.

“As the only boy to advance, I want to represent the team and make a statement that Devine is capable enough to be up there with other top schools,” Garza said.

Before Garza ran his race he read a quote that made him feel ready and focused, “We all have dreams, in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort,” –Jesse Owens. Garza has been preparing himself and working hard the whole season to be ready for district. His hard work paid off and he advanced to regionals and is now advancing to state placing 16 overall out of 178 runners at regionals.

“I was very emotional and happy just like everyone else when I heard I was advancing” Garza said. “It feels so good to know that I finally made it.”

The girl’s team placed eighth at regionals. Bowyer finished 22 overall with a time of 12:47 and Esperanza Mendoza placed 27.

“I’m happy but also sad because this is my last year with the girls,” senior Esperanza Mendoza said. “I am really going to miss the bonding during two-a-days and the team dinners after the meets.”

Bowyer won first place in the district meet with a time of 13:34 and performs her own routine before every run to get her focused and in the running mindset.

“It was really rewarding especially being the underdog the past two years, it really gave me motivation,” Bowyer said. “I’m really proud of how hard we have worked and have pushed each other and continue to push each other.”