Harlingen South senior Kai Sepulveda qualified for the UIL Class 5A boys state cross country championships after finishing 10th at the Region IV meet in Corpus Christi.
Sepulveda completed the 5,000-meter race in 17:06.68, according to published regional results. His finish earned him an individual qualifying berth.
The Harlingen South cross country and track program announced on X that Sepulveda had qualified for the state championships for the third consecutive year.
The University Interscholastic League's official state entry list confirms his qualification. Sepulveda is listed as a 12th-grade competitor representing Harlingen South, with bib No. 2440.
District title precedes state qualification
Sepulveda won the District 32-5A boys cross country championship on Oct. 15 at Brownsville Sports Park, finishing in 15:48.90, according to MileSplit's district results.
Harlingen South teammate Isaiah Somoza finished third in 16:47.30.
The Harlingen South boys went on to place 10th at regionals with 254 points.
Weslaco East won the Region IV-5A boys team championship with 98 points, five ahead of Boerne Champion. McAllen High finished fourth with 136 points.
La Joya Palmview's Azael Davila placed fourth individually in 16:49.78. Mission Veterans Memorial's Justin Camacho finished ninth in 17:06.50, just ahead of Sepulveda.
State championship Saturday
Sepulveda will compete in the UIL Class 5A boys state championship at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
The race is part of the two-day UIL State Cross Country Championships, scheduled for Nov. 6-7.
