SHAWNEE — Bethany’s girls cross country team finished fifth in the Class 4A State championship Saturday (Oct. 25) at North Rock Creek.

Late October rain affected the time of the races and the condition of the course.

“The course wasn’t ideal,” Bethany coach Zac Coulson said via text. “We can’t control Mother Nature but the mud made things a new challenge the kids couldn’t prepare for.”

The girls team’s fifth-place finish was the highest finish at state for a Bethany girls cross country squad in school history.

Bethany freshman Morgan McNutt finished eighth with a time of 12:06.6. Her finish earned her All-State honors. Sophomore Shayne Vonfeldt earned a medal with a 14th place finish. She ran the race in 12:18.3.

The Bronchos’ 178 points was point behind fourth-place Metro Christian (177).

BETHANY BOYS TO BUILD ON SEASON

The Bethany boys squad landed in 18th as a team.

“It was a wonderful season for the kids, and for the boys I feel it didn’t finish how they hoped for, but we bring every boy back next year and I expect a big jump of growth as a runner for them,” Coulson said.

Sophomore Salyer Stayton finished 41st with a time of 17:38.3. Fellow Sophomore Aiden Donoghue ran a 18:31.5 time, good for 87th place.

“We have a lot to build on from this season, and I even have things I need to build on as a coach,” Coulson said.

CLASS 4A STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
GIRLS TEAM RESULTS

PLACE	SCHOOL	SCORE
1	Lincoln Christian	24
2	Byng	98
3	Bridge Creek	110
4	Metro Christian	177
5	Bethany	178

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

PLACE	RUNNER	TIME
8	Morgan McNutt	12:06.6
14	Shayne Vonfeldt	12:18.3
49	Kayden Wright	13:16.5
65	Ava League	13:30.4
67	Maddison McNutt	13:33.6
115	Sonya Murphy	14:21.8
127	Hattie Adkins	14:38.1

BOYS TEAM RESULTS

PLACE	SCHOOL	SCORE
1	Lincoln Christian	43
2	Byng	75
3	Bridge Creek	130
4	Cache	186
5	Crossings Christian	200
18	Bethany	382

BOYS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

PLACE	RUNNER	TIME
41	Salyer Stayton	17:38.3
87	Aiden Donoghue	18:31.5
94	Artur Calderon	18:41.2
120	Clay Powell	19:19.5
130	Uriel Martinez	19:53.9
133	Davis Toler	20:00.0
144	Tony Hernandez	22:13.2