Sharyland High has established itself as one of the Valley’s premier girls cross-country programs over the past four years.
The Rattlers are coming off their third straight district title, while also earning the top spot at the Rio Grande Valley Cross Country Association’s Meet of Champions three times in the past four years, with last year’s meet canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 campaign presented challenges for the Rattlers, however, unable to field a full team at any of their meets this season due to several athletes missing time throughout the year due to COVID.
Still, led by head coach Melissa Dearth, the Rattlers fought through the adversity and captured another top finish at the Meet of Champions.
Now, the Rattlers are healthy and primed to defend their district crown, eyeing their fourth straight title at the District 31-5A meet today at Spring Fest Park in McAllen.
“We do feel more confident having a full team for the district level,” Dearth said. “Every week makes a difference for our girls.
“They’re looking good week by week and their times are dropping. Hopefully, that’ll be the difference at the district and regional meet.”
The Rattlers enter the event as favorites according to MileSplit.com, with eight runners ranked in the top 25 in the district.
While earning another district title is one of the team’s goal, becoming regulars at the state level is the next step for the program, Dearth said.
“Last year was the first year we went to state consecutively,” she said. “We took a team two years ago, then last year we had two individuals qualify. It was the first time we had representation back-to-back. We’re trying to get that every year. Our goal is to step it up at the regional level.”
They are led by senior Danielle Salinas, who ranks No. 1 in District 31-5A with a time of 18 minutes, 31.20 seconds, a personal record set during the FEAST Patriot 19th Annual Invitational in San Antonio.
Salinas, the reigning District 31-5A individual champ, has dominated races in the Valley the past two years, earning gold medals in seven straight RGV meets before coming in second at the 2021 Meet of Champions.
The second-place finish left a bitter taste in Salinas’ mouth, motivating her even more as she prepares to defend her district title.
“She did not like losing,” Dearth said. “No Valley girl had gotten her in two years except at the Meet of Champs.
“She’s excited about this meet and doing well at regionals. Her goal is at state to get that low eighteen or better.”
Elsewhere, Edinburg North’s San Juanita Leal looks to build off her first career win and earn an individual district title at the District 31-6A meet today at the Ebony Golf Course in Edinburg.
Leal’s first victory came during the Meet of Champions on Oct. 2, handing Salinas her first loss in almost two years, while recording a personal best time of 18:57.20.
Other meets taking place today include District 30-5A at Laredo Casa Blanca Golf Course and District 32-5A at Donna High School.
The Mission Veterans look to defend their district title in District 30-5A, led by senior Tara Madrid (20:23.80) and junior Sarah Luna (21:01.90), each ranking in the top 10 in the district.
Meanwhile, Donna High is predicted to win the 32-5A crown by MileSplit.com, with three runners ranking in the top 10 in the district.
Harlingen South is a heavy favorite in District 32-6A, with four runners ranked in the top 10, including Alexis Fonseca (19:34.00) and Aliyah Fonseca (19:43.00), who hold the No. 2 and 3 fastest times in the district, respectively.
District meets wrap up Friday, with 32-6A hitting the course at 8 a.m. at BISD Encampment in Brownsville.