The Brentwood Christian School Cross Country team finished out the season on a high note; both the girls and boys teams finished number one in district, the girls had a state champion, and both teams competed effectively at the state level.

Junior Harper Counts completed the state meet in first place, winning by four seconds and crossing the finish line just ahead of the challenger from Regents School of Austin.

After finishing second in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, Harper Counts finally broke through in 2024, finishing under 12 minutes and adding a gold medal to her already long list of accomplishments in track and field and cross country.

“Harper is so amazing in all the ways,” said sophomore Alivia Villanueva. “Not only is she the fastest and best around, but she also cares about her whole team and continues to encourage and mentor the up and coming runners.”

Junior Hailyn Counts was 14th overall for the Lady Bears; Hailyn and Harper Counts both received academic all-state recognition for finishing in the top 15 and having at least a cumulative 90 overall grade point average.

As a team at state, the girls finished seventh overall. The boys, led by stronger finishes from senior Hollis Harlan (17th) and junior Nico Napper (19th) were 11th overall.

The high point of the season for both teams came at the district meet on Oct. 19. The boys had two runners place top ten; Harlan placed second with Napper in fourth.

The girls had five make the top ten. Harper Counts won the meet, sister Hailyn Counts placed second, sophomore Lynden Worley placed seventh, while sophomore Madi Clark and senior Charis McGaughy placed eighth and ninth, respectively.

Each squad claimed the district title, holding off new-to-the-district Tyler Grace Community School in both varsity divisions.

“Winning district on both the boys and girls side was a super exciting memory from this season,” said head coach Katie Smith.

Throughout the season, the team had impressive athletes and performances, but they also had attitudes of encouragement and perseverance that set them apart from others on campus.

“I would say that they are so positive and encouraging with each other,” said Smith. “They get along with each other so well, and do such a great job of including new and old runners all around.

“They really seemed to have fun together and enjoyed being around each other, yet they knew how to encourage and challenge each other to work hard.”

Both the boys and girls grew deep relationships and learned how to run as a group.

“I learned teamwork, and even though cross country is an ‘individual’ sport, I learned how to build relationships and run as a team,” said sophomore Xavier Parra.

The conclusion of the season also brings sadness, both in the form of no more races and the loss of four seniors near and dear to the program. Those seniors include Hollis Harlan, Gino Burke, McGaughy and Afton Harlan.

“I am really going to miss the seniors and the way that they worked hard… and took ownership and included the younger and newer runners,” said Smith.

The seniors reciprocate this feeling towards the runners. When asked what he was going to miss the most, Burke made it about the collective.

“I’m going to miss the team and just getting to run with them everyday after school,” he said. “I loved being able to talk and get closer with everybody.”

All in all, the team did an amazing job competing for Christ through competitive spirit. The program continues to impress and represent BCS in a positive way.