Cross Country: Taylor High three-time regional qualifier Casey Scherpereel earns first trip to state

Junior three-sport athlete and freshman teammate Caroline Barrow are the first Taylor girls in 15 years to make it to the state cross country meet

Taylor High junior Casey Scherpereel, a three-time regional cross country qualifier, is headed to the state meet for the first time after finishing 12th at the regional meet with a time of 18:57.10. Scherpereel and freshman Caroline Barrow are the first Taylor girls to qualify for the state cross country meet in 15 years. (Photo by Dennis Silva II | On The Grid)

Prior to this year, Taylor High had not sent a girl to the state cross country meet in 15 years.

This year, the Mustangs are sending two in freshman Caroline Barrow and junior Casey Scherpereel.

Scherpereel, a three-time regional qualifier, placed 12th overall at the Region III-6A meet in Huntsville last week with a time of 18:57.10 to book her trip to the state meet in Round Rock on Friday. Her personal record is 18:20.80, set two weeks ago when she placed fifth at the District 19-6A meet.

Scherpereel also plays basketball and runs track and field for the Mustangs.

After a recent morning practice, Scherpereel talked about qualifying for the state cross country meet, the advantages of being a three-sport athlete, her strong relationship with Barrow, and more.