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Just when you think the Lincoln Christian cross country programs have reached a new height, they keep climbing.
Both the boys and girls ran away with state titles in Class 4A this past Saturday in Edmond, as the girls secured back-to-back championships and the boys competed a three-peat.
The girls were led by senior Baylee Woodrich, who took home the individual state title in her final season, and runner-up Tennyson Housley.
Lincoln also had two other top 12 finishers, as sophomore Bentley Stewart was 8th and senior Ally Huxtable battled through being sick to finish 12th.
Saylor Franklin finished 28th for Lincoln and scored points to help the Bulldogs to the team title.
The Bulldogs were well-ahead of Pauls Valley, finishing 35 points ahead of the Panthers.
"The girls team had a unreal level of talent - we had the 400M, 3200M, 5k, indoor mile and indoor 3K school record holders and the returning state champion and state runner up," said Lewelling.
The girls team was the fastest ever in Class 4A, as the Bulldogs combined for a 12:15 team average for the school's 4th state title.
"All that amounts to nothing if the girls don't put aside their own ambitions and lay it all down for the team and to glorify God. Thankfully we were able to navigate the highs and lows that come from a challenging season to come together and run our best when it mattered most," Lewelling said.
Woodrich ran 11:23 to take home the individual honors after a dominant season. It was the fastest time at state in 10 years.
"Baylee being the head of the ship inspired each girl to do their best for the team - she's truly a one in a million athlete and I'm so grateful for her," Lewelling said.
Woodrich broke the school records in the 2-mile and 5K in her senior season.
Housley ran 11:37 to finish 2nd, while Stewart had a time of 12:25.
"I'm so grateful to be a part of this program. There is nothing like the culture that has been created on our team — it's truly unique," Stewart said.
"My teammates push me to be my best self and help me grow closer to Jesus. I couldn't ask for a better team to go to state with. We put in the work, we ran the miles and showed up to all of the early morning practices. We were fully equipped and ready. I had confidence in us winning another state championship."
Huxtable ran 12:38 to finish well in her final cross country race for Lincoln, while Franklin had a time of 13:11.
The 2024 girls team set the school record for team average in the 2-mile and 5K this season.
Lincoln was ranked No. 2 all season long behind Pauls Valley, but the Bulldogs were ready for the challenge when the two teams finally showed up at the same race.
"During the race, I made sure to keep track of how many girls from Pauls Valley were in front of me," Stewart said.
"Early on, I passed their third girl, and I knew as long as I could maintain my lead ahead of her, we were going to win! I will always cherish the memories we created with our small, close-knit team. I am very grateful for the relationships that were formed during the 2024 season."
The boys smothered the competition with depth all year long and that was no different at state, as the Bulldogs had five of the top 13 finishers, led by runner-up Ty Brooks.
The sophomore ran 15:50 to lead the Bulldogs to their 3rd straight title, capping off an impressive season.
Juniors Trevor Hacker and Garner McAfee finished back-to-back at 8th and 9th. Hacker ran 16:23, while McAfee was close behind at 16:32.
"The boys team was incredibly cohesive," said Lewelling. "There were no egos and they all sold out to the cause. If we ran our 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th even 12th guy at state, I am confident they would've gotten the job done too."
Sophomore Sammy Farris was 12th for Lincoln with a time of 16:38, while senior Colin Pogue was right behind in 13th at 16:41.
"We had more depth than I've ever had on a team and they all went at each day like it was the most important practice of the season," Lewelling said. "We bring back our top four and the young depth is eager to step up — we'll be pretty good for a while."
The boys were 45 points ahead of runner-up Byng for the program's 8th title in the last 11 years.
The boys team also set the school record for average team time in the 5K.
Lewelling pushed his team all year long, continually taking both groups to the top meets in the state and even regionally, knowing it would all pay off in early November.
"This was the longest season we've had from a calendar standpoint," he said. "We had our first camp practice in early June and went all the way through November and with one more 'bonus' meet to go in Houston for the Nike Cross Regional."
But that's what makes the head coach and program second to none - the commitment and culture to working and striving for greatness.
"There's nothing I'd rather be doing and I love the process of getting better. From my perspective, the days, weeks, months and years all go together because each moment builds on the next," he said.
"Coach Bruce and I expected to perform so well at the state meet. We tell our kids that our expectations for them is always higher than for themselves, their success is no surprise to us. It's very gratifying to see the kids' joy and relief that the literal hundreds of miles were worth it."
The season didn't come without hardships or adversity though, as Lewelling and his staff knew which buttons to press during the long season.
"Any time you ask someone to do something they don't think they can accomplish, there's a bit of internal struggle," he said. "I don't plan 'hard' practices, I simply plan what we need to get done and those tough moments come organically. The kids know the purpose is to glorify God - without that we would get nowhere."
Specifically, Lewelling recalls a point about a month in where the team refocused and knew they would have to continue to raise their level of performance to meet the expectations of the coach, program and themselves.
"After our meet at Owasso Relays in late August I was a bit disappointed because we didn't perform how I expected. Then, not long after, we had a rough practice where only five of the 43 athletes hit their times," he said.
"From that stretch on, I think the kids took away the lesson that I am raising the floor, the expectations were high and their ceiling was even higher if they sold out to this. Loads of ups and downs were tempered by the depth and stability from our leaders."
The leadership, coupled with the program's ultimate focus — its roots built in faith and a bigger purpose — kept both teams grounded and moving toward its ultimate goal.
"Matthew 6:33 says 'Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.' We don't do anything special other than follow the steps God has ordered for us," said Lewelling. "The thing about taking steps is, eventually you get to your destination and we've reached the peak only by His power."
Another special season for both programs requires thanks to many involved, including Lewelling's assistant, Brandy Bruce, as well as the runner's families, the LCS administration and Church on the Move for unwavering support.
"When I think of this season, I'll remember the sacrifices made by each family, kid and Coach Bruce and her family to come together and Glorify God. We've been blessed with good gifts from Him, an incredible campus to train on, wonderful administrators and pastors who lead our school and church and the best families," Lewelling said.
What's next for the program? The possibilities are endless, as Lewelling has created a machine that isn't slowing down any time soon.
"If I didn't show up for work for a month or so, we wouldn't have missed a beat," he said. "This thing is a machine that is player led and has a higher purpose than just to run fast."
Photos by Preston Turner and Sam Farris
