Hennessey girls make statement at pre-state meet

The youth movement in Hennessey has the Lady Eagles in contention in the world of cross country.

HHS took fifth last Saturday at the 2022 Edmond Pre-State Cross Country Meet held at Santa Fe High School.

It’s the same site state will be held late next month. The top three finishers for Hennessey - Tayler Franklin, Jocelyn Matousek and Emma Sipe - are all freshmen.

“They’ve stepped up this year and are running really well,” said HHS cross country coach Cheyenne Baxter.

Franklin was 22nd out of 120 runners and finished the 3,200 meter course in 13:46.21.

She was 19th among runners whose placings counted toward team scores.

Matousek was 26th (21st) in 14:04.99. Sipe took 34th (27th). Her time of 14:25.49 is a new personal record by more than 30 seconds, said Baxter.

Junior Taryn Jech was 51st (39th) and senior Jamie Torres 56th (42nd) for the Lady Eagles to round out their scoring.

Hennessey notched 148 points. Regent Prep won the meet with 34 points. Bethel was second with 74, Kiefer third with 81 and Alva fourth with 114.

“We have goals set for this year and placing fifth was a step in the right direction,” Baxter said of her team.

“We’ve been ranked fifth all season, but I think placing fifth on Saturday made it real for them.”