Texas Southern and Region 12 were well represented at the 2025 XC Junior Olympics in Shelbyville, Indiana, earlier in December. The conditions were very cold, and it snowed over 5" during some races! Austin Rising Runners had two new "All Americans" with Smith Farley placing 8th in the 7/8 boys race and Hadley Williams placing 23rd in the 9/10 girls race. The Texas Southern Association wants to recognize the Austin Rising Runners' 9/10 girls team, which took 3rd overall as a team in their age bracket, as athletes of the month for December! Going back into the historical archives, it's the first team from Region 12 to ever get on the podium at USATF JO cross country since 2014. Now that is an accomplishment!!! Congratulations to these runners and to the coaching staff of Austin Rising!