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Clarendon High School junior cross-country sensation Madi Benson is on her way to the state cross-country meet for the first time in her running career.

Benson finished the two-mile race in Lubbock Monday at Mae Simmons Park in a time of 13:13.5 for 17th place. She was able to better her time this year over last year’s 14:33.80. The Lady Bronco team finished fifth overall.

“We are super proud of Madi for advancing to the state meet,” coach Korey Conkin said. “We are proud of all the girls for working so hard, going above and beyond in order to be so competitive in this tough sport. We wished her team was traveling with her, but we barely missed that opportunity.”

Addy Havens and Elliot Frausto have been tearing up the courses in the pre-district season and finished the meet in 27th and 31st place with a time of 13:32.2 and 13:33.1 respectively. Gracie Ellis was 56th at 14:01.4 and Tandie Cummins who was a 2023 state competitor finished 58th with a time of 14:05.7. Lexi Phillips rand 61st at 1411.5, and Kate Shaw turned in a time of 15:10.8 for 124th place.

On the Broncos’ side, Tristen Ybarra finished 21st with a time of 18:01.8. Senior runner Bryce Williams who has had an outstanding career at CHS, finished with a time of 21.36.8 due to a leg injury.

“Bryce has been a joy to coach the past four years and worked so extremely hard to have so much success throughout the years,” Conkin said. “He will, without a doubt, be a tougher human after enduring four years of CC workouts and competitions.”

Conkin also had praise for newcomer Ybarra.

“Tristen missed advancing to state by one place, and he is only a freshman,” she said. “He has many more years to get to that level. I am super proud of his work ethic this season.”