The Sulphur boys saved the best for last on Saturday at Edmond Santa Fe High School, earning their best finish ever in a state cross country tournament, with a sixth place in Class 4A meet.
Meanwhile, the girls also capped off an excellent season with a ninth place finish.
Kaleb Madron ran a 17:12 to lead the Sulphur boys in their meet and Jayden Lee finished in 17th place with a 12:46 to lead the Lady Bulldogs.
“The boys had an unbelievable season and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” said head coach Emile Heitland. “These athletes have worked extremely hard this year and made a lot of sacrifices running in the summer and running at 6:30 a.m. before 1st period to put themselves in a position to have their best finish ever.”
Three Sulphur runners had personal records and one had a person best, according to Heitland.
Korbin Mayo followed Madron across the tape with a 17:38, just ahead of Calvin Downey’s 17:39 and Morgan Brown’s at 17:50, both PRs. Zak Kirk ended the tournament with a season best time of 18:37 followed by Noah Heitland, 19:17, and Keaton Seitz at 19:19, to round out the Sulphur contingent.
Heitland praised his lone senior, Madron, for his effort this season.
“He was not only our lead runner but he was the leader of this team,” said Heitland. “All year he showed the younger guys what it took to be successful in cross country and much of this year’s success is due to his leadership.”
Lee and Paxtyn Hiser both finished in the top 25 to lead the girls in their top 10 team finish.
“I’m so proud of each and every girl that toed the line and those that came and support those girls on Saturday,” said head coach Cody Lawson. “The course was narrow and we talked about getting out at the start and put themselves in a good position. They did that and finished well. I couldn’t be more proud of a group than I am these girls for battling throughout the race. It was a great accomplishment to finish 9th in 4A because I feel from top to bottom its the toughest class.”
Following Lee and Hiser, Landy Eason ran a 13:59 (75th), followed by Mady Hatfield’s 14:15 (87th), Roy McMillian’s 14:36 (109th) and a PR, Alma Rios’15:17 and a PR and Fernanda Venegas 16:15 (139th).
