CC Teams Take 3rd In State Meet

For the first time in school history, both Sulphur cross country teams made the podium at the state meet.

Both Sulphur’s boys and girls will now have plenty to look forward next season after winning third in the Class 4A state meet Saturday at Carl Albert High School Boy’s coach Emile Heitland said it was pretty incredible to see both the boys and girls team accomplish this feat the same year.

The boys put together their best performance of the season. Bridge Creek claimed the state championship, followed by Byng in second and Sulphur in third. The race was incredibly close, with only 13 points separating first and third place in a field of approximately 150 runners.

Going into the meet, the Bulldogs had their sights set on a state championship.

“Although they came up short of that goal, the team left everything on the course and turned in an outstanding performance,” said head Heitland.

In cross country, each team is allowed seven runners, with the top five finishers scoring points. All five of Sulphur’s scorers recorded personal records (PRs), making it difficult to ask for much more from the group.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” Heitland said. “We showed up at the state meet and had our best performance of the year. That’s all you can ask of your team. We had five guys run personal bests, and in a race that close, you have to tip your hat to Bridge Creek and Byng. They ran great races, too.”

Leading the way for Sulphur was senior Morgan Brown, who capped off an outstanding high school career with an incredible performance. Brown finished fourth overall in 16:18, earning an individual medal and Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) All-State honors. He also broke his own school record for the third time, finishing his senior season as the school record holder.

Jake Mann finished 16th overall in 16:38, narrowly missing an individual medal by one place. The freshman also recorded the fastest time by a freshman at the state meet, an impressive accomplishment for a runner competing alongside some of the top athletes in the state. His performance moved him to second on Sulphur’s all-time school performance list.

Calvin Downey finished 20th overall in 16:55, breaking the 17-minute barrier he had been chasing for much of the season. Downey’s personal record moved him to fourth on the school’s all-time performance list and capped off a strong season for the senior.

Freshmen Dautry Smith and Banks Tucker rounded out Sulphur’s top five, finishing 39th and 40th, respectively. Smith crossed the line in 17:50, while Tucker finished in 17:51. Both runners recorded personal records and delivered their best performances of the season on the biggest stage.

“The success of Sulphur’s young runners is a testament not only to their competitiveness but also to the leadership of the team’s senior athletes,” said Heitland. “Brown and Downey have played important roles in helping the freshmen learn what it takes to succeed in cross country.

“I give a lot of credit to Morgan and Calvin for the growth of these young guys. They took these freshmen under their wings and showed them what it takes to be successful in this sport. Having that kind of senior leadership makes a huge difference, and it was great to see Jake, Dautry and Banks respond with their best races of the year at state.”

Andrew Hail finished sixth for Sulphur, placing 67th overall in 18:15. Hail recorded his second-fastest time ever and put together several strong races to close out the season. “With his senior year still ahead, we are excited to see what he can accomplish next fall,” coach Heitland said.

Keaton Seitz finished 123rd in 19:51 after battling an injury over the final month of the season. Seitz spent the week leading up to the state meet rehabbing in hopes of being able to compete. Although the injury clearly affected him during the race, Heitland said he continued to battle and pushed through to the finish. Before the injury, Seitz had been one of Sulphur’s top runners.

“Unfortunately, injuries are part of the sport, and this one came at a really tough time of the year for Keaton,” said Heitland. “It was tough to see him battling an injury when he had worked so hard to put himself in a position to compete at state. The good news is that Keaton is only a junior, so he has another year ahead of him. Once he gets healthy, I have no doubt he can come back stronger and have a great senior season.”

Heitland praised Sulphur’s third-place finish as the result of a full-team effort, highlighted by five personal records, a new school record, and outstanding performances from both its senior leaders and its emerging freshmen.

Girls Make History

The Sulphur girls cross country team made history at the state meet Saturday, earning 3rd place in Class 4A and securing the first state podium finish in school history.

“I am incredibly proud of the season these girls put together,” said head coach Kari Seitz.“They have worked so hard, and their dedication has paid off with an outstanding year of success. Going into the state meet ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, naturally, our goal was to win a state championship. However, I knew it would be a battle among some very strong teams. Byng and Bridge Creek have been tough competitors all season, and we have continued to battle with them throughout - and in the end, you cannot hang your head after finishing 3rd at the state meet. These girls accomplished something special, and they have every reason to be proud of what they achieved.”

Hensley Jarman led the team with an 11th-place finish. She ran a great race, and earning a place at the state meet as a freshman is an incredible accomplishment. “Hensley is a fierce competitor who races with tremendous composure, and it has been exciting to watch her grow in confidence throughout the seaso,” said Seitz.

Hannah Hail also ran a very strong race. “She had been dealing with a minor foot injury and some recent sickness, so I was especially impressed with her performance. She didn’t let any of that slow her down Saturday,” said Seitz.

Jozi Gilliam followed closely behind Hail with a strong race of her own. She is another freshman who has had an outstanding season. She is a tough competitor with tremendous grit, and week after week, she continues to deliver strong performances.

Finishing right behind Jozi was Jayden Lee. “Jayden stumbled during the race and didn’t have the performance she had hoped for,” said Seitz. “I know she was disappointed, but that is part of the ups and downs of cross country. Not every race will go as planned, and you cannot let one race define you. I am incredibly proud of the season Jayden has had and all she has accomplished.”

Hoda Garner rounded out the top five, helping secure the team’s third-place finish. Huntley Hatfield and Mady Hatfield also turned in good races, giving the team a solid finish.

“This group has put in countless miles, trained through the summer heat and shown up day after day ready to work,” said Seitz. “Their determination, teamwork and commitment to one another have made this season so rewarding. Finishing third at state and making school history is a tremendous accomplishment, and I couldn’t be prouder of the Sulphur girls for the season they have put together.”

Girls’ State Meet Results: Hensley Jarman — 11th, 12:24, Hannah Hail — 24th, 13:00, Jozi Gilliam — 25th, 13:03, Jayden Lee — 29th, 13:08, Hoda Garner — 53rd, 13:41, Huntley Hatfield — 58th, 13:46, and Mady Hatfield — 76th, 14:11.