Photo by Kevin Nagle
Cross country standouts Melinda Murdock and Connor Wilson were chosen as the athletes[more] of the month for November at Bryant High School in partnership with Sykes Enterprises of Malvern. Athletes of the month are selected by the
school, in recognition for their athletic achievements along with classroom performance.
At the state cross country championship held on Nov. 10, Murdock earned All State
status and received a top 10 medal by finishing sixth overall. Her time of 19:23 was the
second fastest time ever by a Lady Hornets' runner for 5K.
According to her coach, Danny Westbrook, ”Melinda is a very gifted and dedicated
athlete. She is a sprinter and hurdler in track and then has the ability to cross over and run
distance for cross country. Her combination of speed and endurance is something you do
not see very often. She is also a great leader and works extremely hard every day."
Wilson was the Hornets' top runner at several cross country meets this season. He
finished his year with a 22nd-place finish at the 7A State Meet in Hot Springs and then
placed 22nd again the next week at the Arkansas-Oklahoma All-Star Meet in Rogers. That helped the Arkansas boys team to a victory of the Oklahoma squad.
“Connor has achieved his success in running while maintaining good grades and also
being a member of the Legacy Marching Band,” said Hornets coach Steve
Oury.
Sykes Enterprises presented both athletes with plaques on Nov. 20.
