Johnson third at state cross country meet
For three years, IPHS senior district runner Kelsey Johnson has been at war with a small group of elite girls in the state’s 3A ranks, including Argyle’s Kristi Krueger and Colbea Harris, White Oak’s Catherine Loden, and Luling’s Alma Salinas.

This group of talented runners have fought back and fourth in the state cross country races, and in the spring distance runs at the state meet in Austin.

Saturday in Round Rock’s Old Settlers Park, it was a classic battle for the State 3A Cross Country title amongst Johnson and most of the girls listed above, but it was a junior from Prosper who stole the show.

Bailey Belvis, who didn’t even qualify for the state meet last year, came from behind to upset Krueger with a time of 11:30.30. Johnson came in third, her best showing in three attempts at state, with a time of 11:42.60.

Krueger actually controlled the race up until the last 100 meters, leading by several seconds before the Argyle senior, hampered by shin splints, slowed enough at the end to be caught by a surging Belvis.

Krueger finished in second two seconds behind the Prosper junior.

Catherine Loden, winner of the 3A cross country title last year and a multi-event winner at the spring state track meet, came in fourth with a time of 11:46.06. Harris finished fifth at 11:49.15.

Johnson started the race at the far left side of the starting chutes, which suited the IPHS runner fine.

Last year, Johnson was tripped in the middle of the pack after going only 200 meters. She rallied to finish in fifth place.

And last Saturday at the 1-3A Region meet in Lubbock, Johnson was again tripped.

Saturday, Johnson kept her distance from the pack through the first 400 meters, then settled alongside Belvis and Harris up until the last half mile, when Belvis and Johnson created separation.

After the race, Johnson said she was pleased with the result, and anxious to resume training for the spring outdoor season.

“I’m looking forward to this spring,” said Johnson, where she’ll again face Krueger (winner of both the mile and two-mile events at last year’s state meet); Logan (winner of the two-mile race at state as a sophomore), and the upstart Belvis.

All four runners are teammates with the Dallas Striders running club.