Coming off back-to-back appearances at the state cross country meet, Windthorst junior Cameron Belcher is aiming once again to make a return trip to Round Rock.

As a freshman, Belcher took 41st at Old Setters Park with a time of 13:35.30 before posting a 57th-place finish last year with a time of 13:10.5. The reigning Region II-2A individual champion won last year’s regional event with a time of 12:30.83.

After medaling twice at the state track meet a year ago, Belcher should be full of confidence when she takes the field this fall.

With just one departure from last season’s team that finished second in district, the Windthorst Trojanettes and head coach Allison Bussey firmly belief this is their year to return to greatness.

“I know we’re all very excited about this season,” Bussey said. “We have very high expectations but at the same time we want to stay humble and not look too far ahead. We’re taking everything one game at a time. Starting with these preseason games and tournaments, we’re trying to find a rotation that works for us and get some chemistry and gel as a team.”

Windthorst senior Bree Kirk is embracing a new role for the Trojanettes in 2022. After the graduation of three-year starter Camryn Latham, Kirk is looking to fill the void left by the Arlington Baptist signee at libero.

While she has certainly spent plenty of time on the backrow over the previous three seasons, Kirk is making the transition to the specialized libero position.

After advancing at least four rounds deep in each of the last two postseasons, Windthorst is once again poised for a deep run through the playoffs.

While graduation hit the Trojans hard on the offensive and defensive fronts, the Blue Crew returns a wealth of talent at the skill positions to still be a dangerous team early in the year.

“I just want to be better than I was yesterday,” Windthorst senior Landon McLemore said. “I just try to be the best Trojan that I can be.”

A three-year varsity letterman, McLemore only wants to do one thing in his final year with the Blue and White: improve. His goal is to better himself every day not only as a player but as a teammate and friend.

With all but one of the top runners back from its state championship squad a season ago, Holliday appears poised for another trip to the podium in Round Rock in early November.

Jaycee Lyons headlines the group and hopes to fill the void of Hannah Spears in the top slot for the Lady Eagles. Last season, Lyons earned a ninth place finish at the 3A Championships with a time of 12:05.3.

Joining Lyons from last year’s title winning team is Simone Mouras, Jaci Shepherd, Briar Griffin, Bailee Bowers and Kynzee Jackson.

Coming off back-to-back trips to the regional finals, Holliday looks to get over the Bushland hump in 2022 and make its first appearance in the state tournament since 2012. The Falcons have eliminated the Lady Eagles in each of the last two seasons enroute to winning back-to-back state championships.

Head coach Wendy Parker believes this year’s team has what it takes to make it to Garland thanks to a loaded senior class.

Holliday senior Belle Welch is making the most of her final season with the Lady Eagles. The three-year starter is coming off a 652 assist season where she earned the district’s Most Valuable Setter award.

Despite losing five seniors from last year’s team that made its second-straight trip to the regional finals, Welch believes this year’s squad has what it takes to get over the hump and return to the state tournament for the first time since 2012.