Clear Springs earns spot in Region III-4A meet

By L. Scott Hainline
Chronicle correspondent
Knowing what you have to do, and actually doing it, can be difficult, but not for the region-bound Clear Springs Lady Chargers.
We knew exactly what we needed to do at the (24-5A) district meet, and the girls really came through," Clear Springs coach Astin Haggerty said. They really wanted it."
The Lady Chargers, in only their second varsity season, qualified for Saturday's Class 5A Region III Meet with a third place in 24-5A behind Clear Lake and Brazoswood, and more importantly, ahead of Clear Creek by eight points (100-108).
And they did it with freshmen Sierra Soliz placing ninth, Delaney Larson 16th and Gabby Gonzales 25th, and seniors Caitlin McCunney coming in 24th and Sara Loft 26th.
The third place was our best team finish of the season, and it came at just the right time," Haggerty said. We placed fifthin district last year in our first varsity season, and with the influx of some outstanding freshmen, we were able to move up the ladder."
Sophomore Shannon Nelson will also run for the Lady Chargers at the region event at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at LSC-North Harris.
We're excited and humble about regionals, but there is no fear going into the meet," Haggerty said. We've gone up against some of the best teams all season, like Clear Lake and Kingwood, so they know what to expect.
It's a great accomplishment by this team, and with three freshmen and sophomore set to go, they'll come back even stronger with more experience next year."
Clear Springs also has Mark Fernando and Taylor Park at regionals, and they'll take off in the 5A boys division under the direction of coach Abel Almendariz at 12:50 p.m. Saturday.