Cross Country Running Strong to Start the Year
The Bethany Bronchos Cross Country teams have both started the year off on a strong note with several high finished in meets so far. Both the boys and girls team started the year off their first meet as the team champions of the Carl Albert Invitational on August 31. The teams then headed off to the Canadian Valley Conference Championships on September 11, hosted in Lindsay, OK. The Broncho boys team finished as the team champion in this meet behind strong finishes by Daniel Birchell, who was 3rd place overall and Chapman Neal, who was 5th place overall. Kyle Zielinski, Jeremiah Martinez, and Carson Shirola were also all three in the top ten, which helped push Bethany ahead of Marlow who finished as the team runner up. The Lady Bronchos also had a successful conference meet finishing as the runner up behind a pair of top 10 finishes from Kaylen King and Katelyn Hoefar.
On September 15 the teams traveled to the OBU Invitational, which is held at the site of the Class 4A State Championships, and competed in a super competitive meet with some of the top teams in the state in all classes. The boys team finished in 5th place overall with Daniel Birchell leading the way for Bethany with a 12th place finish. The girls team also had a strong showing with a 6th place finish in the strong field. Kaylen King led the way for the Lady Bronchos with a 13th place finish overall.
Most recently the Bronchos traveled to Plainview on Friday, September 21 and ended up running in constant rain and muddy conditions, but they still ended up with a strong finish. The boys team finished in 2nd place behind perennial Class 3A powerhouse Marietta, while the girls finished in 3rd place behind Marietta and Plainview, a top team in Class 4A.
The Bronchos will return to action tomorrow, September 25 as they host the Bethany Cross Country Invitational at Eldon Lyon Park in Bethany. There is no charge for admission.