Cougars Sweep District Cross Country Titles as Goetz Breaks School and Course Records

October 19, 2026 – Grace Community School’s cross country teams swept the individual and team titles at the District Meet on Saturday, Oct. 17, at McKinney Christian School, with both the boys and girls winning team championships.

“Both teams showed this weekend that the work put in during the quiet times eventually shows up when it is time to compete,” said Andrew Plentl, head coach for cross country.

The boys took the top three spots. Top-seeded Ayden Serrato took the lead shortly before the mile mark and won the district title in 18:18. Freshman Isaac Jenks was second in 18:28, a one-minute personal record, and Asher Wickliffe placed third in 18:37, more than a minute faster than his previous best. Wickliffe pulled away from the field over the final 400 meters.

Dylan Small finished 11th in 19:48, breaking 20 minutes for the first time in his high school career. Ethan Foreman set a lifetime best of 20:04, and Titus Bearden ran 20:08, more than a minute faster than his previous 5K best. Gabe Vasquez and Aaron Sepulveda also finished in the top 50. Grace placed six runners in the top 20.

On the girls’ side, Emma Goetz ran the first mile in 5:24 and won in 10:58, a school record and a course record. Her younger sister, Casey Goetz, finished second in a personal-best 11:48.

MJ Hanson, Addie Mathews and Lydia Martinez placed sixth, seventh and eighth, with times between 12:47 and 12:54. That gave Grace five girls under 13 minutes. Based on a review of historical results, Plentl said the team believes it may be the first time in the last decade that five Grace girls have broken that barrier in the same race. Rebecca Dai (12th) and Aragon Tanner (19th) rounded out the Cougars’ seven runners.

Plentl said the athletes have made time for devotionals before practice, led prayer circles at meets and supported other Grace teams. “The District Championships are a great accomplishment, but they are also an opportunity to keep growing as athletes, teammates, and disciples,” he said.

The Cougars compete in the State Meet on Monday, Oct. 26.