Mission High’s Rogelio Aguirre and PSJA North’s Hector Solis have been running side-by-side since 2018, bursting onto the Valley’s cross-country scene as freshmen, earning 13th- and eighth-place finishes at the District 30-6A meet, respectively.
Since then, the duo has enjoyed near-identical careers, making appearances at the Region IV-6A meet in each of their first three seasons, while each advancing to the Class 6A state meet once.
The pair has met on the course 12 times over the past four years, with Solis besting Aguirre nine times. Still, Aguirre has come out on top in two of their past three races, including earning the individual District 31-6A title over Solis last season.
The next chapter of the friendly rivalry takes place during the District 31-6A cross-country meet at 9 a.m. today at the Ebony Golf Course in Edinburg.
“It’s a great thing for both of them,” Mission High head coach Elias Blanco said. “I don’t think they realize how special it is to be in the same grade level and have that competition. Just knowing they must compete against each other at the district level then go against each other at the championship levels, it just pushes them to achieve their highest accomplishments.”
Solis and Aguirre enter today’s meet with the No. 1 and 2 times in the district, respectively, separated by only .20 seconds. Solis posted a personal-best mark of 15 minutes, 29.80 seconds during the Bulldog Invitational on Aug. 13, while Aguirre sits closely behind with a personal record 15:30.00, set during the Harlingen Invitational on Aug. 28.
Despite having a rivalry on the course, Aguirre and Solis remain good friends outside of the sport, even listening to the same music to focus prior to races.
“It started as a friendly rivalry freshman year, and it’s just grown since,” Aguirre said. “I consider that guy one of my good friends. Just that friendly competition that we have, it’s fun. Knowing he’s working for the same goal; it keeps you on your toes.”
Still, when the race begins today, both will be focused on the goal at hand, earning a district title and getting to the regional meet.
“It’s a brotherly love,” Solis said. “I keep up with him on a weekly basis. We always compare what type of workouts we do and try to one up each other every race. It’s a fun experience having that brotherly love outside of the race.
“Of course, on the field, you don’t have any friends there. They’re all your rivals.”
Elsewhere, the McAllen High Bulldogs prepare to defend their District 31-5A crown at 8 a.m. today at Spring Fest Park in McAllen.
The Bulldogs will have to fend off district favorites McAllen Memorial, which is predicted to win the title by MileSplit.com. The Mustangs field the top two runners in District 31-5A this season in Ayden Granados (15:44.00) and Sebastian Salinas (15:56.00).
Meanwhile, Mission Veterans junior Daniel Alamilla looks to capture his first individual district title after coming in third during last year’s meet. Alamilla holds the fastest time in District 30-5A this season, clocking in at 15:55.00 on Aug. 24 at the Mission–Fly Like and Eagle Invitational.
The District 30-5A meet begins at 8 a.m. today at the Laredo Casa Blanca Golf Course.
Donna High’s Kevin Hernandez looks to repeat as the District 32-5A individual champion, with the meet kicking off at 8 a.m. today at Donna High School. Hernandez ranks No. 3 in Region IV-5A this year, according to MileSplit.com, posting a time of 15:42.00 on Sept. 25 at the McNeil Elite Invitational.
In District 32-6A, the Harlingen High Cardinals eye their second straight district title, led by reigning individual district champ Geovany Cisneros, who holds the second-best time in Region IV-6A (15:25.30) according to MileSplit.com.
District 32-6A wraps up the RGV’s district meets at 8 a.m. Friday at BISD Outdoor Encampment in Brownsville.