Faith Academy takes fourth at state

October 26, 2012, 1:00 pm by Mark Goodson

Faith Academy took fourth at the TAPPS Class 2A state cross country meet last weekend at Baylor University, giving the school hope for the overall title in the future.

The team was led by all-state honorees Brandi Kuhlmann and Christina Lykken. Kuhlmann was eighth at 14:17 and Lykken ninth at 14:25 in the 2A division of the meet at Baylor University’s Bear Run Cross Country Course.

Other finishers were Sierra Brinkley (11^th14:30), Hana Darwin (30^th 15:24), Rachel Ormsby (48^th16:21) and Peace Preston 55^th 16:53
 "I am really proud of the girls,’’ said coach Steve McCannon. "Another finish on the podium, our fourth in the last five seasons. Consistency eventually leads to championships, so I am really excited for next season.”
 
 The entire team is underclassmen.

"The girls team was five sophomores and one junior, so we can return the same team and comeback experienced, eager and hungry to contend for a state championship. "
McCannon said the team followed its plan.

 "We had a game plan going into the meet with the number of points and places we needed to get into the hunt, and we came very close to hitting all our goals,’’ McCannon said. "We were only nine points from second…But just like we have learned from the state track meet over the years, being ‘close’ means you can slide several spots down the podium and the margin of error is slim. We always  keep our expectations and standards high.’’

Kuhlmann impressed her coach.

"Brandi ran a great race and will be even stronger next year. She has not run competitively in several years, so she will only get better. Brandi had a solid season and will do well in the spring sports,’’ MCannon said.

On the boys side, Reagan Vaughn took 68^th  in 22:43 to lead the team. Others for the first-year boys team were Alec Gonzales (93rd 24:30) Jacob Metcalf  (97^th 25:00) Alex defily (99th 25:08) and Nathaniel Moses (105th 26:26)
"The guys were able to field our first ever guys team. None of the guys had run before and you have to start a program somewhere,’’ McCannon said. "I really proud of them for getting us on the board.’’