Coppell High School’s Cowgirls and Cowboys competed at the UIL 6A Region 1 Cross Country Championship on Monday, Oct. 26, in Lubbock, battling rain and a slippery, muddy course against some of the toughest competition in Texas. Two Coppell athletes earned spots at the State Championship: Maya Easterwood and Sidharth Kerthipati.
With more than 180 runners in each race, the Cowboys finished eighth and the Cowgirls placed 14th among 24 schools in a region known for its depth and competitiveness.
Individual and Team Highlights
Cowgirls Make Historic Return to Regionals
For the first time in seven years, Coppell’s varsity girls competed at the regional championship as a team. Easterwood led the Cowgirls with a fifth-place finish in 17:55 over 5K, qualifying for State for the fourth time in her high school career.
“This varsity girls’ team was the first team to compete at regionals in 7 years. I am so thrilled that they had the opportunity to race today in Lubbock,” Coach Landon Wren said. “I told them that now that we’ve done it, the expectation is we do it every year.”
“The girls really left it all on the course today. They competed well in adverse conditions. I’m excited for Maya qualifying for state once again. She is a FOUR-TIME state qualifier. There are not a whole lot of girls that can say that,” Wren added.
Finleigh Sanders finished 43rd in 19:21, and Rachel Stumm took 95th in 20:26. Coach Wren praised both for running their best races of the season. Freshmen Mirabelle Sagal (125th, 21:04) and Angie Nguyen (135th, 21:21) gained valuable regional experience. Bishakha Sinha finished 168th in 23:13; Anusha Patki did not finish.
Cowboys Place Eighth in Deep Regional Field
The varsity boys delivered a strong team performance, placing eighth out of 24 schools. Kerthipati led the Cowboys with a 19th-place finish in 15:52, securing his place at the State Championship.
“I am extremely proud of the varsity boys and their 8th place finish. As a group, we may have run our best race of the year,” Coach Wren said. “It’s an extremely tough region, and they should be proud of their performance.”
Seniors Diego Morales (41st, 16:17) and Tanish Neelapu (71st, 16:36) closed their high school cross country careers with strong performances. Itsuki Pena finished 75th in 16:38, followed by Alesh Khowala (84th, 16:47), Sam Meier (95th, 16:53) and Abishek Suresh (110th, 17:02).
“I’m excited for Sid and having the opportunity to run at the state meet,” Wren said. He also recognized the seniors’ final races and the experience gained by the returning runners.
Regional Championship Results
Cowboys — 8th of 24 Teams
• Sidharth Kerthipati — 15:52 (19th) — STATE QUALIFIER
• Diego Morales — 16:17 (41st)
• Tanish Neelapu — 16:36 (71st)
• Itsuki Pena — 16:38 (75th)
• Alesh Khowala — 16:47 (84th)
• Sam Meier — 16:53 (95th)
• Abishek Suresh — 17:02 (110th)
Cowgirls — 14th of 24 Teams
• Maya Easterwood — 17:55 (5th) — STATE QUALIFIER
• Finleigh Sanders — 19:21 (43rd)
• Rachel Stumm — 20:26 (95th)
• Mirabelle Sagal — 21:04 (125th)
• Angie Nguyen — 21:21 (135th)
• Bishakha Sinha — 23:13 (168th)
• Anusha Patki — DNF
Looking Ahead to State
Coppell now turns its attention to the UIL 6A State Cross Country Championship in Round Rock on Friday, Nov. 6. Easterwood and Kerthipati will represent the Cowgirls and Cowboys against the best runners in Texas.
With many athletes returning next season, Coach Wren and the Coppell program are looking forward to even bigger things in 2027.
Congratulations to every Cowboy and Cowgirl who competed at Regionals, and best of luck to Maya and Sid at State!
Contact Information
For more details or to support Coppell High School’s Cross Country program, please contact:
Patricia Chi
chi.patricia@gmail.com
(469) 831-3709