HENRYETTA — Bethany’s girls cross country team made school history Saturday (Oct. 17) by winning the 4A regional meet at Henryetta.
“I’m so amazed by these group of girls,” Bethany coach Zac Coulson said via text after his squad was the first Bethany girls team to win a regional.
Coulson noted that most of the other coaches ranked his squad seventh or eighth.
“And we just beat the team that many has as the favorite. I can’t even put into words how proud I am of them!”
The eight-ranked Bronchos beat second-ranked Byng by 11 points, 60-49.
“All the girls know their role and they run it to their strengths and for this team! Together!!” Coulson said.
At one point during the race, the Bethany coach recalled shouting at sophomore Kayden Wright, encouraging her to catch up to two Byng runners.
“She gave me a thumbs up like ‘I got you coach,’ and with 200 meters to go she passed them both!” Coulson recounted.
Coulson said he could see this squad somewhere in the top four among the talented 4A field next Saturday, including winning it all.
“This team is special, and they truly have a chance to win a state title!”
Sophomore Morgan McNutt finished sixth with a time of 12:16.67. Junior Shayne Vonfeldt was eighth in 12:33.42. The Bronchos had three more runners in the top 20, including freshmen Addison Bernhard, Cambria Morris and Wright, a sophomore.
BRONCHO BOYS EARN STATE TRIP
The Bethany boys team finished third in the regional, which qualifies them for state.
“The boys I am so proud of, we were without a senior today and that means somebody has to step up, and that they did,” Coulson said.
The 10th-ranked Bronchos had 92 points, just nine points away from second place 11th-place Skiatook (83).
Junior Salyer Stayton paced Bethany with a sixth place finish in 17:22.14, just over a second behind fifth place finisher Max Denney, a freshman from Byng (17:21.18).
Junior Artur Calderon was 12th (18:02.92). Coulson said Calderon “ran his best race of the season.”
Freshman Jeff Dickerson was 18th and junior Aiden Donoghue finished 22nd.
Coulson highlighted newcomer Cooper Austin, who was 35th.
“(He is) brand new to cross this season ran phenomenal,” Coulson said.
“Getting third today was a huge success and I am very happy with how both teams ran today.”
UP NEXT
The 4A state meet is next Saturday (Oct. 24) behind Carl Albert Middle School, near the football stadium. The girls race is at 2:30 p.m. and the boys run at 3 p.m.
“State is going to be exciting!” Coulson said. “Please come out and support, cheer these girls on as they try to make history to win a state title.”
2026 4A REGIONAL – HENRYETTA
GIRLS TEAM RESULTS
October 17, 2026
| PLACE | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethany | 49 |
| 2 | Byng | 60 |
| 3 | Skiatook | 69 |
| 4 | Metro Christian Academy | 106 |
| 5 | Mannford | 136 |
| 6 | Jay | 183 |
| 7 | Fort Gibson | 190 |
| 8 | Oologah | 202 |
| 9 | Wagoner | 233 |
| 10 | Hilldale | 279 |
| 11 | Sallisaw | 281 |
BETHANY GIRLS RESULTS
1st of 11 teams · 49 points
| PLACE | RUNNER | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Morgan McNutt | 12:16.67 |
| 8 | Shayne Vonfeldt | 12:33.42 |
| 12 | Addison Bernhard | 12:49.04 |
| 13 | Cambria Morris | 12:50.18 |
| 15 | Kayden Wright | 13:03.53 |
| 33 | Ava League | 14:02.61 |
| 35 | Savannah Ayers | 14:12.54 |
2026 4A REGIONAL – HENRYETTA
BOYS TEAM RESULTS
October 17, 2026
| PLACE | SCHOOL | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Byng | 28 |
| 2 | Skiatook | 83 |
| 3 | Bethany | 92 |
| 4 | North Rock Creek | 110 |
| 5 | Poteau | 126 |
| 6 | Metro Christian Academy | 153 |
| 7 | Mannford | 233 |
| 8 | Stilwell | 273 |
| 9 | Locust Grove | 275 |
| 10 | Hilldale | 291 |
| 11 | Victory Christian School | 293 |
| 12 | Miami | 297 |
| 13 | Sallisaw | 308 |
| 14 | Wagoner | 343 |
| 15 | Jay | 402 |
| 16 | Fort Gibson | 468 |
BETHANY BOYS RESULTS
3rd of 16 teams · 92 points
| PLACE | RUNNER | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Salyer Stayton | 17:22.14 |
| 12 | Artur Calderon | 18:02.92 |
| 18 | Jett Dickerson | 18:16.77 |
| 22 | Aiden Donoghue | 18:23.84 |
| 35 | Cooper Austin | 18:54.38 |
| 40 | Davis Toler | 19:03.06 |
| 69 | Canaan Hodam | 20:57.24 |
