WAURIKA – Both the Bethany boys and girls cross country teams qualified for the state meet after competing in the 4A Regional at Waurika Saturday (Oct. 26).

“I am beyond excited for these kiddos today,” Bethany coach Zac Coulson said.

The Broncho boys team is the defending state champion in Class 4A. In addition, this is the first time since 2018 that both boys and girls qualified for state.

“This is a huge accomplishment for the girls team and something we get to use as momentum for the future of this program,” Coulson said. “I was so proud of the effort I saw from each runner today. They left it all out there and it paid off.”

Coulson noted that his runners prepared for a warmer day in southern Oklahoma by hydrating “very well leading up to this race.”

CALDERON PACES BRONCHOS

Sophomore Artur Calderon “looked solid,” according to Coulson, placing 13th (17:42.6) “in an extremely competitive regional.”

Fellow sophomore Oliver Thompson finished 21st with a time of 18:33.4. Freshman Salyer Stayton added a 23rd place finish with a time of 18:41.8.

“The boys ran solid races today! I loved the guts they showed,” Coulson said.

The Bethany coach also praised freshman Aidan Donoghue, who finished 27th (18:57.9), saying “he ran a phenomenal race and I felt his best race of the season by far!”

FRESHMAN FINISHES FIFTH IN STATE TUNEUP

Freshman Shayne Vonfeldt finished fifth against “extremely strong competition,” Coulson said. “The four girls in front of her will be top five next weekend at state, so this was a great showing for her to see her against the best in the state.”

Vonfeldt finished with a time of 11:59.6 in the 3.2 km race.

“I can’t say enough how proud I am of the girls team and their dedication to each other,” Coulson said. “They run for each other each week and push themselves to their limits. I am truly happy it paid off today for them to qualify to state.”

Senior Gracie Sparks finished 20th with a time of 13:30.2.

“(Gracie) has been waiting four years to qualify as a team,” Coulson said.

“All the girls ran great races today and couldn’t be more proud to be their coach.”

UP NEXT

Both teams will compete in the Class 4A State Championships at Edmond Santa Fe next Saturday (Nov. 2). The girls race starts at 1:40 p.m. with the boys following at 2:10 p.m.

CLASS 4A REGIONAL (AT WAURIKA)

GIRLS TEAM SCORES

PLACE	SCHOOL	SCORE	AVG. TIME
1	Pauls Valley	26	12:11
2	Plainview	89	13:25
3	Kingfisher	99	13:29
4	Douglass	112	13:38
5	Sulphur	122	13:38
6	Bethany	139	13:45

GIRLS INDIVIDUALS

PLACE	NAME	SCHOOL	TIME
5	Shayne Vonfeldt	Bethany	11:59.6
20	Gracie Sparks	Bethany	13:30.2
37	Ava League	Bethany	14:05.8
42	Jocelyn Balderas	Bethany	14:22.6
47	Sonya Murphy	Bethany	14:44.8
66	Hattie Adkins	Bethany	15:55.1

BOYS TEAM SCORES

PLACE	SCHOOL	SCORE	AVG. TIME
1	Cache	39	17:03
2	Sulphur	76	17:55
3	Plainview	106	18:23
4	Weatherford	112	18:38
5	Bethany	113	18:39
6	Lone Grove	133	18:40

BOYS INDIVIDUALS

PLACE	NAME	SCHOOL	TIME
13	Artur Calderon	Bethany	17:42.6
21	Oliver Thompson	Bethany	18:33.4
23	Salyer Stayton	Bethany	18:41.8
27	Aiden Donoghue	Bethany	18:57.9
34	Clay Powell	Bethany	19:18.4
66	Hunter Wyett	Bethany	21:18.6
75	Ethan Fine	Bethany	22:29.4