HOT SPRINGS — The quality depth of the teams from the northwest corner of the state proved to be decisive in the Class 7A State cross country meet at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
The Bentonville Lady Tigers earned the title with 36 points, beating out Fayetteville (46) and Rogers (52). Conway was the closest 7A-Central team, finishing a distant fourth with 148 points.
The Bryant Lady Hornets were eighth in the 14-team field with 218 points, just 9 behind seventh-place Rogers Heritage and the second best finish among Central teams.
Seniors Sydney Wilson and Bree Hood led the Lady Hornets’ effort. Wilson finished 29th overall in a time of 20:52.10. Hood was 36th in 21:15.10.
Bryant’s scoring quintet also included Bailey Brazil who was 42nd in 21:40.50 with Olivia Orr on her heels finishing 43rd in 21:40.50. Esmeraldo Limon was Bryant’s fifth finisher. She ran a 23:16.60 to place 82nd.
“My seniors finished off their season exceptionally well,” said Lady Hornets coach Keith Dale. “They both set new P.R.’s for themselves. They gave it all they had and we did all we could do.
“It’s hard to beat those teams there in the West,” he acknowledged. “They just have so much depth. It’s just difficult. But I was especially proud of my seniors, Bree Hood and Sydney Wilson.”
Also competing for Bryant were Lauren Hart (101st, 24:17.40), Sarah Rogers (107th, 24:34.00), Natasha Hobby (108th, 24:34.90) and Kaylin Watts (117th, 26:30.30).
