Bethany cross country coach Zac Coulson started a tradition in his second summer at the school.

On the Friday before school starts, Coulson takes his team to Mt. Scott in southwest Oklahoma. His runners run over five miles total, both up and down the mountain.

“It is a great hard workout,” Coulson said in a preseason questionnaire.

The team then goes swimming at Medicine Park and then eats burgers at the Meers Store and Restaurant.

“It has been a great tradition and the kids love the time,” Coulson said.

He’s probably noticed a few more runners on the jaunt up the mountain in recent years. Bethany has it largest squad in recent memory.

“I love all the new faces that have joined the program to give cross country a chance,” Coulson said. “I believe we will have better results at state this season than we did a year ago.”

The girls team finished 16th and the boys were 14th at the state meet last season. It was the first time both squads qualified for state since 2018.

Coulson came to Bethany from Piedmont four years ago. The boys squad captured 2023 4A state title, the school’s first in cross country and the girls program has been rebuilt into a contender.

“If we can stay healthy, the girls will be looking for a top five finish at state, and the boys in the top 10,” Coulson said.

When Coulson looked over his roster, he was struck by his young his team is. There are two senior girls and no seniors on the boys side

“That excites me,” Coulson said. “With so many new faces, I am expecting a lot of growth and learning throughout the year.”

CALDERON PACES BOYS RUNNERS

Junior Artur Calderon placed 27th at state last season and Coulson said he “is looking to place in the top 20 this year.”

Calderon had two top-5 finishes last season.

Coulson has seen improvement from junior Clay Powell over the summer.

“I am excited to see how his junior season goes.”

Ian Redinger is looking to make strides in his junior season and will be competing for a varsity spot.

Bethany has four sophomores returning.

Salyer Stayton was the fifth fastest freshman at state last season.

“I am expecting him to make a big jump his sophomore year,” Coulson said.

Coulson said Aiden Donoghue “got better and better each race last season, I have seen great improvement from Aiden this summer.”

He also expects Hunter Wyett and Ethan Fine “to make a jump” in their sophomore campaign.

Coulson is excited for several new faces on the team.

He is excited to have junior Isaac Hickam as “part of this program.”

The Bronchos will have four new sophomores, including Tony Hernandez, Uriel Martinez and Malachi Mobley.

Coulson said those runners have “shown some real potential and I am excited to see (them) improve over each race this year.”

Another sophomore is Zade Smith, who ran 400- and 800- meters in the spring for the Bethany track team.

“I feel cross country is going to bring out his potential as a runner,” Coulson said.

Davis Toler may be a freshman but Coulson is very familiar with the runner.

“I have been coaching Davis since sixth grade, I am beyond lucky to be coaching someone like Davis,” Coulson said. “He shows up everyday and works hard. I know I will see great things from Davis in his freshman campaign as he tries to figure out how to race 5Ks.”

VONFELDT TO BUILD ON BREAKOUT FRESHMAN SEASON

On the girls team, no one made more a splash last season than Shayne Vonfeldt. Now a sophomore, Coulson said Vonfeldt “will be battling to be a top 3-4 finisher at state this year.”

“She had an amazing freshman campaign and has been working hard this summer.”

As a freshman, Vonfeldt won her debut at Bridge Creek. She had three other top-5 finishes.

Junior Ava League also has experience. Coulson said that League gained confidence during the track season in the spring.

“I am tremendously excited for Ava,” Coulson said. “(She) has been working hard this summer. I am anticipating and big successful jump from Ava in her junior campaign.”

Hattie Adkins is another sophomore Coulson believes will improve this season.

Sonya Murphy is the lone senior returning from last year’s team.

“Sonya will be looking to have a great senior year.”

Maddison McNutt, who also plays softball and basketball, would have ran last season but was recovering from injury.

“Maddison is a wonderful leader who works hard. This senior is somewhat new to the cross country scene but her hard work shows when she is racing,” Coulson said.

Maddison’s sister, Morgan, joins the team as a freshman. Coulson has coach Morgan since sixth grade and has seen her dominate in middle school.

“Morgan is a great leader, and loves to lead races from the front. She will be looking to be a top three finisher at state this season.”

Sophomore Savannah Ayers is new to running cross country. Coulson said Ayers has worked hard over the summer.

“I believe she will be learning each race and getting better and better. I feel she will have an impact on this team this season,” Coulson said.

Freshman Kayden Wright was another runner that Coulson coached as an assistant track coach in the spring, running the 400- and 800-meter runs.

“I am beyond excited that Kayden is running cross country,” Coulson said. “This girl has tons of potential.”

Coulson said Wright is trying to make the transition to the 2-mile race from the shorter track distances.

“I believe Kayden will be looking to be a top 20 finisher at state,” Coulson said.

UP NEXT

Bethany opens the season Saturday (Aug. 23) at 8 a.m. at the Bridge Creek Invitational.

The team will host the Broncho Invitational Sept. 5 at Eldon Lyon Park.

“Anyone is welcome to come watch these kids run,” Coulson said. “Cross country meets are a blast to watch and if you have never been to one I highly recommend attending one.”