Elite company

The Amarillo High volleyball team is certainly in the middle of a dynasty. The Lady Sandies did a year ago what no other 5A volleyball team in the state has done -- win three state titles in a row. Beginning Friday, they go for their fourth consecutive in the semifinals of the state tournament.

Amarillo High could really move into the high-rent district should the Lady Sandies win it all again. The teams which have won at least four consecutive team titles in the state’s highest classification is not a very long list. In fact, it’s just 10 in the history of UIL competition.

No use going too far to find who leads the list. Caprock has a current streak of six girls wrestling crowns (2004-2009), tying with with Humble Kingwood, which won six consecutive boys cross country titles from 1994-99. Two teams have won five in a row — Conroe McCullough in girls swimming (1989-93) and San Antonio Churchill in girls golf (1996-2000).

Five have won four in a row. They include Mansfield in girls basketball (1999-2002), Conroe McCullough in boys cross country (1985-1988), Houston Memorial (1971-1974) and League City Clear Lake (1981-1984) in boys swimming, and Fort Worth Trimble Tech (1976-1979) and Houston Westbury (1997-2000) in girls track.

Amarillo High is among 22 teams which have won three in a row, including the football Sandies from 1934-36.

Should Randall win state in 4A and Amarillo High in 5A, that would be two state champions separated by, what, three miles?