Ryan Teel......state champion

Saturday, November 12th was the "biggest day of my life" according to FHS junior cross country runner and basketball player, Ryan Teel.  If only we could all be so clutch on our big days. 

Teel ran away from the best the state of Texas has to offer Saturday to claim the UIL 4A state cross country title.  From chron.com:

Junior Ryan Teel of Friendswood was the Individual Class 4A state champion. Teel finished with a total time of 15:42.35 with a 5:02 minute pace. (FHS) Junior Levi Kessler also finished in the top ten with 16:16.99.

The Mustangs finished fourth in the overall standings, and coach Steve (Haffelder) expected his veteran squad to finish strong this season.

"I wanted to win, but I wasn't overconfident at all because I was running against some good competitors today," Teel said. "I prepared well and was as disciplined as I could have possibly been. I have a ton of support from a lot of my friends and family, but my teammates were special this season."

Ryan Teel does have "a ton of support from a lot of my friends and family," but for 15 minutes and 42-plus seconds Teel was alone.  Alone and out in front of the best runners the state of Texas has to offer. And because of that, Teel can now call himself something not many can:  champion. 

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