RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced the women’s and men’s cross country runners of the week for the opening week of the 2024 season. Oklahoma Baptist’s Sophia Strange earned the women’s award while the Bison’s Max Wheeler claimed the men’s honor.
#theGAC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE WEEK – Sophia Strange, Sr., Oklahoma Baptist, Houston, Texas
Strange secured a first-place finish at the Rogers State Distance After Dark meet. She completed the 5K course in a personal-best time of 17:23.65. She finished almost 11 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. The Bisons finished in third place as a team.
#theGAC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE WEEK – Max Wheeler, Sr., Oklahoma Baptist, Edmond, Oklahoma
Wheeler led the Bisons to a team title at the Rogers State Distance After Dark event. He won the individual title with a winning four-mile time of 19:50.61. He finished 3.99 seconds in front of teammate Carson Kardokus. The Bisons placed five runners inside the top nine.
OTHERS NOMINATED
Izzi Breaux, Sr. (Ouachita Baptist), Ashlen Clem, Jr. (Southeastern Oklahoma State), Amaya Grant, Fr. (Arkansas Tech), Kelsi Hilton, Fr. (Southern Nazarene), Josie Parks, Jr. (Harding), Jamaiar Ross, Sr. (Northwestern Oklahoma State)
Christian Franklin, Jr. (Northwestern Oklahoma State), Adien Hoover, So. (Southern Nazarene), Cade Swindle, Sr. (Ouachita Baptist), Luke Walling, Sr. (Harding)