Tompkins Freshman Takes Cross County State Title
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
November 10, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
A Tompkins High School freshman captured the UIL Class 6A Girls Individual Cross Country State Championship Title. She also broke a record that should stand for years to come as one of Texas’ top distance runners.
Katy ISD freshman Bailey Pipes finished a remarkable debut season by winning the UIL Class 6A Girls Individual Cross Country State Championship Title. Pipes is a student at Katy’s Tompkins High School.
Pipes conquered the 5,000-meter course with a time of 17:20.5, crossing the finish line 14.2 seconds ahead of the runner-up to claim the state title. Her performance helped lead the Tompkins girls cross country team to an eighth-place finish with 196 points.
“Winning a state championship as a freshman is something I’ll never forget,” says Pipes. “I’ve worked hard all season, but I couldn’t have done it without my coaches and teammates pushing me every day. It means so much to bring this championship home to Tompkins.”
Pipes burst onto the high school cross country scene this fall and quickly established herself as a title contender. She claimed individual titles at the Brenham Hillacious HS Invitational and Seven Lakes Showcase XC Invitational before winning the large-school division at September's Cowboy Jamboree with a time of 17:49.3.
“Bailey has shown tremendous determination and maturity throughout her first high school season,” says Tompkins Head Cross Country Coach Julius Michael. “She competes with confidence, puts in the work and never backs down from a challenge. Being the first freshman in Texas to win a girls individual state championship is an incredible accomplishment, and we're excited about what lies ahead for her.”
She continued her impressive run at the regional championship, finishing second with a personal-best time of 17:04.8 to secure her spot at the state meet.
With a state championship, multiple invitational victories and a personal-best performance already on her résumé, Pipes has set a high standard for the next three years of her high school career.
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