Sports

For the first time in over two decades, a Hamilton boys’ cross country team qualified for and competed at the UIL Texas State Cross Country Championships in Round Rock on Tuesday of last week. Prior to the 2020 season, the Bull-dogs had made it to state just six times, including appearances in 1987, 1988, 1993, 1997, 1998 and in 1999. Though the Lady Bulldogs have claimed six XC state titles, the highest finish ever by a Bulldog team was sixth in state back in 1987.

Hundreds of Bulldog backers traveled to Round Rock last Tuesday to support the Hamilton Bulldog cross country team at the UIL State XC Championships. It was just the seventh time in history for the boys’ program to make it to state and the first appearance by the Bulldogs since 1999. After placing second at the regional meet, the Bulldogs sped to a fourth in state finish in Round Rock to become the most accomplished Bulldog cross country team in history. The previous record was a sixth in state team finish by the 1987 Bulldogs. Staff Photo

STATE RUN: After placing fifth individually at the regional cross country championships in Dallas, senior runner Amy Pritchard (pictured) of Evant finished 14th overall at the state meet in Round Rock on Monday of this week.

Hamilton's Bulldog round-ballers are off to a hot 2-0 start after downing Brady on the road on Tuesday of last week 38-29 and defeating Eula at home, 36-26, last Friday.

Seven Bulldog competitors were set to represent the Hamilton Bulldogs on Tuesday in traversing the 2A State Cross Country Championship trail in Round Rock, including Caleb Lengefeld, Dawson Melde, Hayden Blackwell, Taylor Long, Joseph Polster, Jay

The varsity Lady Bulldogs improved to 3-1 last week, netting a 51-34 home victory over Millsap on Tuesday and a 49-38 home win over Academy on Saturday.

After shepherding District 12-2A team titles, Hamilton’s state-ranked Bulldog and Lady Bulldog cross country teams joined the top runners from the region in Dallas on Tuesday of last week for the Region II-2A cross country championships.

STATE BOUND- Hamilton’s drought-busting Bulldog cross country team is advancing to state for the first time in more than two decades after placing second overall at the UIL Region II-2A cross country championships in Dallas last Tuesday. It will mark the first appearance at the state meet for the boys under the direction of Coach Brandun Massingill and just the seventh state showing for the Hamilton boys’ program all time. Under the tutelage of Mona Gloff, the Bulldogs first went to state in 1987, followed by appearances in 1988, 1993, 1997, 1998 and 1999. The 2A state XC championships will be held at Old Settler’s Park near Dell Diamond in Round Rock next Tuesday, Nov. 24. Starting time for the state-ranked Bulldogs is set for 9:45 am. Pictured (l-r) following their state-qualifying run in Dallas, Massingill, Hunter Mize, John Polster, Landon Thompson, Dawson Melde, Taylor Long, Caleb Lengefeld, Ben Cooper, Jaydon Watson, Hayden Blackwell, Caden Hopper, Joseph Polster, Garrison Blackwell and Coach Patrick Blount. Staff Photo