Grahn wins bronze at state

By Sandy Anderberg

Clarendon High School’s Bryce Grahn ran to a third place finish in the State Cross-Country Meet in Round Rock last weekend.

Grahn finished the race with a time of 16:35.75.

Clarendon High School sophomore Gavin Word also ran in the meet and finished a respectable 34th with a time of 17:48.59.  Grahn and Word ran a personal best in the meet.

This was Grahn’s fourth trip to a state cross country meet.  Before coming to Clarendon, Grahn ran in the Colorado state meet as a freshman.  In his sophomore year as a Bronco, Grahn finished 13th and last year he ran 6th.

“We knew this year he had a chance to finish at the top, but you never know how a season is going to go,” coach Kalen Grahn said.

“The runner from Sundown that was the state champion is a very good runner and the young man from Port Aransas who came in second was last year’s state champ.  We felt great where we came in.”

“We had a blessed week at Round Rock,” Grahn continued. “Bryce and Gavin both ran great races.  Gavin grew as a runner to understand what a state meet feels and looks like.  You can tell him, but until you experience first-hand, then you fully understand what it is like. it is the fastest meet you will be in.”

Word has improved his time by over a minute the last two weeks and he will be leading the Bronco team next year, according to Grahn.

“He has made some great steps the past two weeks to show himself and the other runners that he is ready to take over the leadership role of this team,” Grahn said.

Grahn was appreciative of the support the CC team received.

“We want to thank the Clarendon School for all their support,” Grahn said.  “Especially want to thank the other CC runners who ran and competed this year.  I enjoyed taking Gavin and Bryce to state, but I want to take our entire team to Round Rock and bring back a State Championship trophy not just medals.”