BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: 2018 CLASS 5A STATE MEET
By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
EDMOND – Kelly Beck was a nervous wreck.
The Wildcats burst out of the gates Saturday, building a dominant lead one mile and one lap into Edmond Santa Fe’s long, two-turn disappearing course.
Piedmont’s fourth-year coach thought back to the same margin his team had shaped last year, in the very same area of the route, that ultimately fizzled to a five-point deficit to Guymon, who stalked the Cats down for the state crown late in the race.
This year though, the second turn was ultimately a victory lap, bringing Beck the relief he needed as the Wildcats came out of the course’s blind side. He had realized the record shattering accomplishment the squad had all but locked up.
The 2018 Class 5A state championship.
“I saw we looked good at a mile and it was on my mind,” Beck said of last year’s performance. “So I was a nervous wreck all the way up until about the second time around. I never really let out that sigh and knew we had it until they came out.”
Piedmont’s record shattering performance of 28 points came at the hands of a familiar foe as the Cats trounced Guymon by 41 this time around while placing four runners before a Tiger harrier crossed the finish line.
“They planned this out for the last month,” Beck said of how his team managed the course and pace during the meet. “They worked on a few different schemes with different guys pushing each other, but the plan was to get three in before Guymon’s first placer.
“They executed in perfectly.”
A trio of seniors led the way. Blake Cope, Jadon Barker and Paul Welch all earned individual hardware by placing in the top-six overall plus All-State bids. Cope finished third and Barker finished fifth, each taking home gold medals while Welch finished sixth with a silver.
Beck says all three have been part of the backbone that led to the title run.
“They’ve been a huge part to all of this. What amazed me over the last few weeks is how well Jacob and Paul closed the gap on Blake. That helped push us and built a strong mentality. You just love to see kids like that reach their goals. It meant a lot to them and they’ve meant a lot to this program.”
Sophomore Beckam Hartis and junior Jacob Brightwell closed out Piedmont’s placing times. Hartis finished ninth overall for a silver medal and an All-State bid while Brightwell finished 14th, garnishing a bronze.
Freshman Tanner Bailey and junior Garrett Bickley each finished in the top-20 overall and each placed ahead of Guymon’s third scorer. Bailey finished 18th and Bickley finished 19th.
“They were obviously fueled by it,” Beck said of the Cats looking to dominate Guymon after last year’s defeat. “I think that was the sweetest part was to be so close and then come back this year and win. From that day to Saturday that was on their minds all the time.”
The win also marks the first-ever boys state championship in Piedmont High School history.
“It’s pretty cool to be the first ones,” Beck said. “But it’s not just the state title and the points and the history, it’s the way they did it. They fought hard and worked hard and came together as a group. That’s what you ask for as a coach.”
It is sinking in though. Piedmont’s accomplishment shattered the record books and will eventually lead to a banner hanging in the school’s gym. A first for any boys team.
“It’s hit me and the kids. We always had a good feeling about it all year. But you really can’t take that last breath until it’s over.”
