SLIPPERY ROCK — The Bradford Lady Owls cross country team competed at the Mack Cooper Classic on Saturday at Cooper’s Lake campground finishing 10th out of 21 AA schools and 35th out of 65 schools overall.
“This was a very big meet with about 470 runners in the race and a very difficult course,” Bradford coach Mark Kelley said. “This made it very difficult to move up and pass in the first mile. There was a lot of good competition, so we really had to push ourselves and run hard. This was a good test to see where we are at two weeks before districts.”
Logan Sunafrank led the way, finishing 39th in the AA classification in a time of 23:01.
“Logan ran a very nice race,” Kelley said. “She got out well in the first mile and steadily moved up in the second mile. It was tough moving in the first mile with a narrow course. She bounced back from last week’s race and got back to where I knew she ran run.”
Bethany Bednez was 45th in a time of 23:18 and Emma Webster was 51st in 23:35.
“Bethany continues to have a great race,” Kelley said. “She wasn’t feeling 100 percent but she gives all she has every race.
“Emma ran a great race and a personal best. Running a personal best on this course is very impressive. Emma has worked very hard this year and has steadily gotten better as the year progressed.”
Also running for the Lady Owls were Hannah Lary (66th in 24:12), Ellery Signor (78th in 24:49), Amanda Little (91st in 25:14), Shea Crissman (93rd in 25:21) and Bri Keller (135th in 27:58).
“All of these girls ran very hard on a difficult course,” Kelley said.
Among those running in the JV race were, Conner Gracey Dalton (61st in 26:15), Alex Safran (86th in 26:59), Destinee Deitz (93rd in 27:16), and Haleigh Reid (97th in 27:22).
“I thought all of the girls ran hard,” Kelley said. “This was probably one of the toughest courses we have ran on along with the biggest race. We have two weeks until districts and we need to get everyone healthy and rested before then. St. Mary’s is going to be the favorite going in but we are going to go to districts and give everything we have.”
The Lady Owls return to action Tuesday at Ridgway, while the Junior High will run at the Middle School championships next Saturday at Kane.
