PIEDMONT — Bethany freshman Morgan McNutt finished on top at the Piedmont Cross Country Invitational Saturday (Sept. 27).

McNutt edged out teammate and sophomore Shayne Vonfeldt with a time of 12:13.07 in the 2-mile race. Vonfeldt finished in 12:42.89.

“Morgan winning the race was a great statement, Shayne not too far behind,” Bethany coach Zac Coulson said via text.

The girls division of the meet was unique because only Bethany and Douglass competed a teams in the Class A to 4A race with the Bronchos earning the team win.

“Back in the old days of cross country you would “run a meet” against another team and just go head to head.”

Coulson pointed out that Douglass beat Bethany in regional meet last season.

Freshman Kayden Wright followed in fourth place with a time of 13:49.85.

“Kayden ran through a side stitch and showed grit.”

Junior Ava League finished fifth with a time of 13:50.15

“Ava League ran a phenomenal race!! Coulson said. “This girl is truly getting better and better every race. She is going to have a phenomenal postseason.”

Senior Maddison McNutt landed in seventh place (14:03.35) and fellow senior Sonya Murphy finished in eighth place (14:14.18).

“Maddison McNutt showed true heart for her race and Sonya was right behind her to get those six in the top eight

BETHANY BOYS FINISH SECOND IN TEAM COMPETITiON

The Bethany boys finished in second place just behind host Piedmont.

“The boys had a great day. Coulson said. “I was proud to see them get out quick and give themselves a chance from the start.”

Sophomore Salyer Stayton paced the team with a 13th place finish (17:13.16).

“It was a competitive race so Salyer finishing in the top 15 is a great day.”

Coulson also thought sophomore Aiden Donoghue (16th/18:25.19) and freshman Davis Toler (18th/18:32.48) “ran amazing races and so proud of the improvement they have shown each race.”

“What I loved is having a pack of the boys together. Aiden, Davis, Clay Powell, and Tony Hernandez were places 16, 18,19,20. That’s great team racing and leads to success!”

Coulson hopes the meet will build momentum heading into postseason races.

“It was a smaller meet but I loved it. I felt it was a confidence booster for our kiddos,” Coulson said. “I thought this race was the best effort I’ve seen all season! And it’s happening at the right time of the year.
I’m praying after this race, I see some swagger in them to be ready for postseason races in three weeks.”

UP NEXT

Bethany runs at North Rock Creek Oct. 7.

PIEDMONT CROSS COUNTRY INVITATIONAL
2-MILE A-4A TEAM RESULTS

PLACE	SCHOOL	SCORE
1	Bethany	19
2	Douglass	40

2-MILE A-4A BETHANY GIRLS RESULTS

PLACE	RUNNER	TIME
1	Morgan McNutt	12:13.07
2	Shayne Vonfeldt	12:42.89
4	Kayden Wright	13:49.85
5	Ava League	13:50.15
7	Maddison McNutt	14:03.35
8	Sonya Murphy	14:14.18
11	Hattie Adkins	15:18.00
12	Savannah Ayers	15:39.50

5K BETHANY BOYS TEAM RESULTS

PLACE	SCHOOL	SCORE
1	Piedmont	15
2	Bethany	56
3	Classen S.A.S.	94
4	Santa Fe South	97
5	Millwood	149
6	Capitol Hill	160
7	ASTEC	202

5K BOYS BETHANY RESULTS

PLACE	RUNNER	TIME
13	Salyer Stayton	17:13.16
16	Aiden Donoghue	18:25.19
18	Clay Powell	18:32.48
18	Davis Toler	18:32.48
20	Tony Hernandez	18:34.82
27	Uriel Martinez	19:45.38
31	Isaac Hickman	20:26.30