Meeker emerges as contender in Class 3A
MEEKER — The Meeker cross country team begins its training sessions bright and early.
The seven members of the squad arrive at the school for a 6:30 a.m. workout each weekday, ready for whatever challenges first- year coach Brady Dukes throws at them.
The regimen has tested each runner's toughness.
It also propelled the young program to a new level.
For the first time in school history, every member of the Meeker cross country team qualified for the state meet. The six boys runners will vie for the Class 3A team title Saturday at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. The Bulldogs' lone female, Callie Sellers, qualified as an individual.
Dukes hopes this is the beginning of something special at Meeker, which launched its cross country program six years ago.
“I'm working on building a culture,” he said.
Dukes, the son of former Del City boys basketball coach Allen Dukes, began his tenure at Meeker in late July. It is his first cross country coaching job. He is also the girls basketball coach.
Meeker does not have a track, and its facilities don't compare to other programs in the state. But Dukes quickly realized Meeker High is a perfect site for cross country.
“We got all the layouts,” he said. “Hills. Some woods in the back. They run through the side of the school into the front of the school. They kind of have a little course loop.”
Freshman Riley Randall is Meeker's top runner. He said the unique course is a great training ground.
“It's got a few good hills on it,” he said. “That helps for training with hilly courses. I think it's better for cross country than a track.”
Randall runs twice a day and is the only member of the team who does not play other sports in the fall. The other male runners have basketball practice in the afternoon, while Sellers plays fastpitch softball.
Sellers admits t he heavy workload leaves her feeling exhausted.
“I enjoy it, but I'm really tired every day,” she said.
Dukes was an assistant boys basketball coach at Southmoore the past seven years. He is excited about the future of cross country at Meeker. The Bulldogs do not have a senior on their roster.
“We have the potential to be an even better team next year,” Dukes said.
Runners to watch at Class 4A-2A state meet
The cross country state meet for Classes 4A, 3A and 2A is set for Saturday at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Here are some local runners to watch.
GIRLS
Tabitha Fox, freshman, Jones: Fox has been one of the best runners in Class 3A this year. She took first place at regionals last week, finishing the two-mile run in 12 minutes, 24 seconds. Fox will compete as an individual this weekend.
Kaylen King, junior, Bethany: King advanced to the Class 4A state meet as an individual. She took third at regionals with a time of 12:29.
Eden Rutledge, junior, Blanchard: Rutledge helped Blanchard earn a spot in the Class 4A state meet. Her time of 12:52 at regionals gave her a sixth-place finish.
BOYS
Mike Lawrence, junior, Oklahoma Christian School: Lawrence completed the 5K race at regionals in 17:39 to help Class 3A OCS clinch a spot in the state meet.
Agustin Lopez, junior, Little Axe:
Lopez finished with a time of 17:11 to take second at regionals for Little Axe, which will battle for the Class 3A state title this weekend.
Maverick Stephenson, junior, Community Christian:
Stephenson took second last week with a time of 16:57 as CCS advanced to the state meet.