When Comal Smithson Valley dethroned the Lovejoy girls cross country team at last year’s Class 5A state meet, there was reason to believe the two state powerhouses could very well run it back this fall.

Both teams rostered just one senior in their lineups during that 2024 showdown, and with plenty of that experience back on the course at Round Rock’s Old Settler’s Park on Friday's state meet, Lovejoy and Smithson Valley were again in the top two of the 5A team standings – only this time, with the Lady Leopards reclaiming the state championship.

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