TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple High Tem-Cat cross country team delivered an impressive performance on Thursday morning, capturing a second-place team finish at the Broncho Cross Country Invitational held at Crossroads Park in Temple.

In a deep field featuring 17 teams, the Tem-Cats compiled 103 points to earn the runner-up position, trailing only team champion Westwood (74 points) and edging out third-place Hendrickson (104 points).

Staples and Desales Lead Tem-Cat Medalists

Temple was spearheaded by stellar, front-running performances from sophomore Azaria Staples and junior Ilana Desales, who both landed top-three individual finishes to secure medalist honors.
Staples crossed the finish line as the meet runner-up, claiming 2nd place overall with a time of 19:43.60. Right behind her was Desales, who earned 3rd place with a time of 20:02.49. By placing in the top 20, both runners earned individual medals and set the pace for Temple's strong team showing.

Round Rock Stony Point senior Sophia Lopez took the individual title, winning the 5,000-meter race in a time of 18:33.41.

Temple Tem-Cat Individual Performances

Five Tem-Cats contributed to the team score, with all six competitors finishing strong in the field of 138 runners:

Azaria Staples (SO) – 2nd place, 19:43.60 (Medalist)
Ilana Desales (JR) – 3rd place, 20:02.49 (Medalist)
Kennedy Taft (FR) – 34th place, 22:17.53
Sterling Griffith (SR) – 40th place, 22:37.02
Madelyn Krumnow (SO) – 41st place, 22:38.34
Bella Sahm (SO) – 63rd place, 23:27.94
Top 10 Individual Finishers
Sophia Lopez (SR, Round Rock Stony Point) – 18:33.41
Azaria Staples (SO, Temple) – 19:43.60
Ilana Desales (JR, Temple) – 20:02.49
Gianna Rivera (SO, Jarrell) – 20:05.30
Isabella Warner (JR, Belton) – 20:16.30
Faith Romney (SR, Liberty Hill) – 20:24.01
Evelyn Bell (JR, Westwood) – 20:25.46
Kate Salazar (SR, Leander) – 20:30.79
Desaray Benavidez (SR, Jarrell) – 20:31.58
Camry Ojeda (SO, Leander) – 20:38.92

Team Standings Summary

1. Westwood – 74
2. Temple – 103
3. Hendrickson – 104
4. Jarrell – 119
5. Belton – 139
6. Leander – 172
7. Lake Belton – 183
8. Buda Johnson – 202
9. Liberty Hill High School – 244
10. Buda Hays – 246
11. Killeen Harker Heights – 263
12. Marble Falls – 299
13. Copperas Cove – 332
14. Bastrop – 362
15. Killeen Shoemaker – 458
16. Elgin – 473
17. Texas School for the Deaf – 489

Up Next

The Tem-Cats will look to build on their momentum when they hit the road for their next meet on September 26. Temple will compete in the Ennis Lions Invitational at Ennis High School in Ennis, Texas, with races set to begin at 7:30 a.m.