Record-worthy efforts Pilot Point runners add new state finishes to board
A special season for the Pilot Point Lady Cats cross country team culminated in two members being recognized on Jan. 23 for their exemplary performances at the UIL State Championship in November.
In front of family and friends junior Kaelyn Chaney added her name and junior Ava Smith moved hers up on the Lady Cats’ State Cross Country Record List.
“They had a great season,” head cross country coach Jeff Price said. “It started from day one, and they’ve been our two best runners all year long. To see them get the team where we wanted to be at the State Championship and then to get on this board was great. I’m really happy with how their season went and all of the hard work they put in to get there.”
Smith originally joined Pilot Point’s list of Top 10 runners with the program's sixth fastest time in program history after the 2023 season and improved enough this year to move into fourth place with a time of 12:17.7.
“A ton of work went into it,” she said. 'We practiced early in the morning all throughout the summer, [and] it’s the same thing during the school year. Everyone else would be at the football games, but we knew we had meets in the morning, so we were in bed and getting ready. All those little things add up, and it makes it all worth it when you walk by and see your name up on that wall.”
Chaney, who joined Pilot Point's cross country team last season, finished with the program's eighth fastest time at the state meet of 12:41.1, earning her a spot on Pilot Point's Top 10 list.
'I wasn't the best when I started, so it feels great to see all the hard work I've put in has finally paid off, and that I'm in the Top 10,' she said. 'Seeing my name on that list pushes me to move even higher up the board.'
Smith, who also served as the team’s captain, said it was a great season for her, but being joined on the list by a teammate made the moment even more special.
“This season was a good one and is one that I will always hold close to my heart, but it’s great seeing Kaelyn make the board and have the opportunity to move up as well next year,” she said. “We're going to come back again hungry next year; more of our team will potentially make it here too, and that's going to be exciting to see.”
