ROUND ROCK - Led by senior Savanah Moya, New Braunfels claimed its first title in 32 years as the Unicorns won the UIL state girls Class 5A team championship on Saturday at Old Settlers' Park.
It was one of three state champions from the area as the Lytle boys won their fourth team title in the last five years in Class 3A and Marion senior Jayce Love broke a meet record in winning the 3A boys individual title.
Moya, who is committed to Houston, finished second overall with a time of 17 minutes, 56 seconds on the 5,000-meter course. It was her first individual podium spot in four trips to state. She and freshman Halle Bryant, who was fourth overall, guided the team to 65 points. Highland Park (86) was second and Lucas Lovejoy (117) was third.
"I'm happy that we made it as a team and we all helped each other throughout the season to get here," Moya said. "I'm truly grateful for the team I have this year, and it's really a blessing to have these girls around me and this environment around me. We all push each other and it's an amazing atmosphere to be around."
Bryant turned in a time of 18:11.5. She was followed by teammates Tessa Shamblin (15th), Raeleigh Hudnall (42nd) and Sydney Wantuck (45th), who factored in the scoring.
"It's so amazing to be part of just such a wonderful team and such a wonderful community," Bryant said. "I'm so thankful for the opportunity to get to run today. It was exciting and really nerve-racking, but overall, it ended up being such a fun day and such an amazing outcome."
The Unicorns claim their fourth state overall and their first since going on a back-to-back-to back run from 1993 to 1995. It's New Braunfels' first podium spot since 2013, when the Unicorns finished second in Class 5A (now 6A).
New Braunfels Savanah Moya crosses the finish line at the UIL State Cross Country 5A girls 5K run Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas. (JOHN GUTIERREZ/John Gutierrez)
Coach Lee Datesman said his team's chemistry was unmatched this year compared to any of the 19 years he has led the Unicorns program.
"It sounds cliché, but you can't find a group whose chemistry is better, nor whose work ethic is better," Datesman said. "I've never had a group that had more fun doing the whole thing. That whole statement of 'Enjoy the journey,' I can't think of a group that's ever enjoyed the moment more than that one. Yes, there's talent, but there was an insane work ethic that all paid off."
Moya finished behind individual winner Amelia Anderson, a sophomore from Lubbock, who clocked in at 17:47.1. Moya held the second spot once the chasing pack broke up around the 3,200-meter mark. She started closing on Anderson but was unable to make up any more ground toward the backstretch.
"For a moment there for a while, I thought I was going to catch her," Moya said.
That was still OK for Moya, who had finished seventh (2025), fifth (2024) and 43rd (2023) in her three previous trips to state.
"I just really wanted to finish off my senior year with placing in the top three, and that's what I came and did," Moya said. "I'm really happy about that."
Moya competed in cross country, soccer and track at New Braunfels as a freshman. She dropped high school soccer after her freshman season. Datesman said her overall athleticism showed out Saturday.
"It's a pretty cool way (for Moya) to finish up," Datesman said. "I can't say I'm surprised . I felt last year, she should have, could have (made the podium). I felt maybe I could have done a couple of things better in preparing her. She's in that unique echelon of just being so smart and so disciplined. All those things you would expect out of an elite athlete. She gets it all, and she knows what do to."
Lytle receives first place honors for their 3A winning run during the UIL State Cross Country awards presentation on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas. (JOHN GUTIERREZ/John Gutierrez)
Lytle's boys claimed their third straight Class 3A team championship led by sophomore Jacob Cantu's third-place finish in the 5,000-meter race (15:48.6) and junior Adrian Reyna's sixth-place performance (16:03.6).
Lytle scored 60 points to lead an area podium team sweep. Randolph was second (125) and Cole was third (126).
It's the Pirates' fifth state title. They also won in 2013 and 2022. All five have come under coach Gilbert Ruiz's watch.
"We have a great coach who is always pushing us to go hard," Reyna said. "We like to hold each other accountable, so if one of us is slacking, another one will tell him something to get him back on track. We try to keep each other safe."
Other finishers for the Pirates who factored in the scoring were senior Nathan Garza (26th), sophomore Shawn Robinette (35th) and freshman Frank Cantu (37th).
"I think it's amazing to work with all the people that I've met here," said Reyna, who has been part of the Pirates' entire three-peat run. "They are all such good people, and they've taught me everything about life, and not just running. They've taught me to be a better person."
Marion Jayce Love arrives first at the finish line in 15:03.7 for a new 3A state record at the UIL State Cross Country for the 3A boys 5K run on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas. (JOHN GUTIERREZ/John Gutierrez)
Marion senior Jayce Love shattered a Class 3A boys meet record by claiming the gold medal in 15:03.7. His mark was nearly 26 seconds better than the previous record set by Vanderbilt Industrial's Kevin Baez (15:29.18) in 2018.
Love left no doubt as he shot out to a fast start to set the record-setting pace.
"I'm not going to lie, I didn't come in with a plan," Love said. "I lowkey ripped it. Going into the race, I knew I had some competitors coming for me. I told myself that I wanted to go get it from the start."
Love won Saturday's race by nearly 27 seconds over runner-up Keene Smith senior Kainan Meeks. Love competed in last year's state meet with Clemens and was 15th in 6A boys with a 15:30.8.
"It's a blessing to have the opportunity to set a meet record on a state course in the most important race of my life," Love said. "Honestly, I saw myself on the podium at the start of the season, even in the summer when I didn't have a successful track season. I knew I could do it if I set my mind to it."
There's more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.
This article originally published at New Braunfels girls, Lytle boys, Marion's Jayce Love capture cross country gold .
