Gonzales Cross Country Has State Meet Storybook Finish Built on Faith, Family, and Grit

The Gonzales High School cross country program closed its season on a high note Saturday, Nov. 1, as three Apache runners competed among Texas’ best at the UIL State Cross Country Meet, marking a proud finish for one of the most united teams in recent memory.

Senior Ckristofer “Ckris” Ramos, sophomore Homero Ruiz, and freshman Ellie Mae Lester each represented Gonzales after standout performances at the regional meet in Corpus Christi. For Head Coach Dana Sestek, seeing all three cross the finish line at state was a moment of pure pride.

“I’m so happy for them and proud of their commitment to their goals and to each other,” Sestek said. “Seeing them proud of their efforts was the most rewarding part—knowing they ran a great race.”

Sestek said her runners never let the magnitude of the moment outweigh their focus. “They embraced the opportunity and gave it their all,” she said. “Our goal all season was to compete consistently so that when we got to state, it would feel like just another race.”

For Ramos, qualifying for state in his final season was the storybook ending he’d always hoped for. “It meant the entire world to me to end my high school career at state,” he said. “It was a storybook ending with an unforgettable team.”

He approached the race with the same steady mindset that carried him through the season—run hard, stay focused, and give 110 percent. “I treated it the same as always,” Ramos said. “Just getting out hard and putting one foot in front of the other.”

When the race was over, it wasn’t his time or his place that mattered most—it was the people waiting for him at the finish line. “My favorite moment had to be the hugs I got from my coaches, teammates, family, and friends,” he said. “They mean the world to me, and I’d never have accomplished half of what I did without them.”

Sharing the experience with Ruiz and Lester made the moment even more special. “They’re such a fun duo to hang out with, and they always manage to keep a smile on my face,” Ramos said. “They inspire me to be better for them, and I hope I’ve done the same for them too.”

As he reflected on his time with Gonzales cross country, Ramos left behind advice for the runners who will continue the program he helped shape. “Take in every moment while you can,” he said. “Cross country isn’t just a sport—it’s a family you get to be part of. Every second with them is a blessing.”

For Homero Ruiz, the state meet represented both an accomplishment and a first taste of what’s possible. “It felt really good—it was a great feeling because it was my first time, but I was also a little nervous,” Ruiz said. “Before the race, my mindset was focused on the course and how I was going to do. During the race, I was thinking about my friends, coaches, and family pushing me and motivating me—without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”

Ruiz said running alongside Ramos in his final race was something he’ll never forget. “It was his last race, and it’s going to be a memory I’ll never forget,” he said. “He kept motivating me and telling me I could do it, and it’s cool that we made it together.”

With his first state appearance behind him, Ruiz said he’s already looking ahead. “Next year I’ll be more prepared and know what to expect,” he said. “My goal is to get top ten at state.”

Freshman Ellie Mae Lester rounded out the trio with an impressive debut, finishing just 20 seconds shy of a top-three medal in one of the toughest fields in Class 4A. “It feels amazing knowing this was my first time there and that I wasn’t too far off from the top runners in the state,” Lester said. “God has given me the ability to run, and I’m more than grateful.”

One of the only freshmen to compete at state, Lester said running alongside mostly upperclassmen showed her what she’s capable of. “A lot of them had competed on the state course before, and I hung right there with them,” she said.

She was most proud of her strong finish. “I knew I needed a strong kick at the end and was able to pass about seven runners in the last 200 meters,” she said. Despite beginning the season with a fractured foot, she finished the year among the state’s top competitors.

Now, she’s already setting goals for next year: placing in the top three at regionals, finishing top ten at state, and—hopefully—bringing a few teammates with her. “This experience motivates me to be intentional with every workout and to lean on God in both the good and bad times,” she said.

Sestek said the example set by this year’s group will leave a lasting mark on the program. “As in any program, success breeds success,” she said. “The teammates who came to support saw the course, saw the excitement, and it made them hungry. With two qualifiers returning, this will definitely set the tone for next season.”

More than anything, Sestek said she’s proud of the family-like culture her runners have built. “The amount of growth and commitment from this team has been tremendous,” she said. “They’ve supported each other through difficult times and high expectations, and they’ve built a culture that truly speaks ‘family.’ They’ve accomplished that in every sense.”

The Apaches closed their 2025 campaign as one of the top programs in Region IV, with three state qualifiers leading the way and a legacy built on faith, perseverance, and unity—one that promises an even stronger future ahead.