BRIDGE CREEK — Bethany grabbed the top spots in the girls race at the Bridge Creek Invitational Saturday (Aug. 23).

Freshman Morgan McNutt took the top spot, finishing with a time of 12:36.32.

Bethany coach Zac Coulson said he wasn’t surprised after seeing Morgan McNutt dominate in middle school.

“(In) her first HS race she does what she does best, lead from the front and make a statement!” Coulson said via text. “She thrives on knowing others will ‘attempt’ to beat her.”

Sophomore Shayne Vonfeldt finished second with a time of 12:53.32. Von Feldt won the event last season in her debut as a freshman.

Coulson noted that McNutt and Vonfeldt have similiar running styles.

“One of the best 1-2 punches in cross country in the state!” Coulson said.

As a team, Bethany finished second to host Bridge Creek. Coulson noted it was probably the highest finish for the girls team since 2018.

“These girls run for each other and it pays off,” Coulson said.

Older sister Maddison McNutt, a senior, finished 14th with a time of 13:08.47.

Coulson noted that Maddison McNutt played two softball games in Washington with Bethany’s team Friday and played another game Saturday afternoon.

“(She) showed real grit today,” Coulson said. “She runs so hard and tough for her teammates, her family and wants everyone to know when watching her, she leaves it all out there.”

Kayden Wright finished 20th in her first high school race with a time of 14:10.40 in what Coulson called “a true gutsy race.”

“This course is draining mentally and physically. It’s a true cross country course, hills, turns, not even ground. Kayden battled and placed in the top 20. This girl is going to have a phenomenal freshman season.”

Junior Ava League finished the race in 14:24.22, good for 22nd place.

“This girl impresses me every time I watch her race, she truly gets better and better each race and confidence is building.”

Senior Sonya Murphy was 31st in 14:44.76.

“(Murphy) being our sixth runner shows the talent this team has this season,” Coulson said.

Hattie Adkins was five seconds behind Murphy (:14.49.05) in 32nd place.

“She showed her hard work is paying off already from the summer.”

Necomer Savannah Ayers was five seconds behind Adkins in 14:54.58, good for 34th.

CALDERON PACES BRONCHO BOYS

Junior Artur Calderon finished in eighth place in 17:38.39.

Sophomore Salyer Stayton was a second behind at 10 place.

“These boys are going to have an amazing season I can already see that just from the first race,” Coulson said.

As a team, the Bronchos finished fifth.

Junior Clay Powell was 37th with a time of 19:20.34.

“(Clay) showed me he has improved a lot since last season, I am excited to see him improve over this season.”

Sophomore Tony Hernandez, a newcomer, was 42nd.

“Tony is going to be a great runner, for his first ever 5k race besides the time trial he showed he will make some noise in this sport if he continues to work hard,” Coulson said.

At 46th was freshman Davis Toler in 20:08.93.

“(Davis) showed me how his work ethic shows in his first ever high school 5k race.”

“Ian Redinger (59th, 21:06.06)and Issac Hickman (61st, 21:15.06) ran strong races and I am proud the effort they showed today,” Coulson said.

Two junior varsity runners earned varsity spots in Bethany’s next race. Sophomore Aidan Donoghue was fifth in the JV race.

“(He) looked back to his form that I’ve seen from him, he unfortunately was sick during our time trial so things didn’t go well for him. But he looked good today and is doing to get stronger and better.”

Sophomore Ureal Martinez followed in ninth in the JV race.

Because Donoghue and Martinez will takes varsity spots from Redinger and Hickman, because their times were faster.

“Everyone showed true guts and grit today. Amazing way to start the season on the toughest course they will run all season,” Coulson said.

Coulson noted that the middle school runners placed second overall for boys and girls.

“I love watching these kids push themselves!!! I truly believe we have some future state championships happening in this program. We have some gritty and hard working runners in this community.”

BRIDGE CREEK INVITATIONAL
GIRLS RESULTS

PLACE	SCHOOL	SCORE
1	Bridge Creek	37
2	Bethany	51
3	Blanchard	88

BETHANY INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

PLACE	RUNNER	TIME
1	Morgan Mcnutt	12:36.82
2	Shayne Vonfeldt	12:53.32
14	Maddison Mcnutt	13:41.44
20	Kayden Wright	14:10.40
22	Ava League	14:24.22
31	Sonya Murphy	14:44.76
32	Hattie Adkins	14:49.05
34	Savannah Ayers	14:54.58

BRIDGE CREEK INVITATIONAL
BOYS RESULTS

PLACE	SCHOOL	SCORE
1	Bridge Creek	68
2	Perkins-Tryon	74
3	Dickson	93
4	Blanchard	97
5	Bethany	138

BETHANY INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

PLACE	RUNNER	TIME
8	Artur Calderon	17:38.39
10	Salyer Stayton	17:39.84
37	Clay Powell	19:26.72
42	Antonio Hernandez	19:57.26
46	Davis Toler	20:08.93
59	Ian Redinger	21:06.06
61	Isaac Hickman	21:15.06

UP NEXT

Bethany travels to Mustang Saturday (Aug. 30) for the Harrier “Under the Lights” Race at Wild Horse Park. The event starts at 7:30 p.m.