Plano East’s girls cross country team entered Monday’s District 7-6A meet at Myers Park in McKinney seeking a second consecutive district championship.

The Lady Panthers won last year’s District 6-6A title on a tiebreaker over Prosper after both teams finished with 52 points. Plano East’s sixth runner, Dyan Tecuatl, provided the deciding finish, according to the Murphy Monitor’s championship report. It was the program’s first district title since 2017.

This season’s challenge comes with a new district and changes to the lineup. Senior Meena Mulford has taken over the leading role following Reagan Noel’s graduation. Mulford battled illness during the season but recorded a season-best 19:02, the Monitor reported in its Oct. 8 preview.

Seniors Brooke Tierney and Kate Salyer and junior Louisa Christensen also return from the championship team.

The Panthers raced at Myers Park earlier this fall during the McKinney Boyd Bronco Stampede, giving them experience on the district course.

Boys target regional qualification

Plano East’s boys entered the meet ranked among the district’s top three teams, according to the Monitor.

Senior Isaac Updike has led the Panthers this fall after placing 14th at last year’s district meet. Sophomore Levi Rowe sought a second consecutive regional berth following his sixth-place district finish as a freshman.

Senior Deyan Bhakta recorded a personal-best 16:21 at the Coach T Marcus Invitational.

Under UIL rules, the top three teams and top 10 individual finishers at the district meet advance to regionals. Individual qualifiers may also belong to an advancing team.