Bryson runners qualify for state

Bryson has not one, but two cross country runners going to the state cross country meet in Round Rock.

Ty McComack and Joslyn Whitfill will run Saturday, Nov. 2 in the Class 1A meet. Whitfill will run at 8:15 a.m. and McComack will follow at approximately 8:45 a.m. 

Coach Mark McCorkle said he saw the potential for each to qualify.

“I knew if they each ran their race, they would have a shot,” McCorkle said. “Jossy likes to get out front and stay there while Ty likes to run slower, pace himself and pick them (those in front of him) off one at a time.”

He did just that at the regional meet. At roughly the one-mile mark, McCorkle said McComack began moving through the pack, going from 41st to 27th place within a quarter mile. Over the final two miles, he continued his one-at-a-time approach and eventually finished 17th with a time of 19:37.32.

McComack, a sophomore, said he runs cross country because it gives him a chance to clean his head. His philosophy is simple.

“I just run and hope to do my best,” McComack said. “I was definitely shocked and excited about qualifying for state. I wasn’t okay with my time at all, but it felt good knowing.”

Whitfill, who finished second at the Region 3-1A meet in Grand Prairie, ran a time of 12:55.98 over the two-mile course. Whitfill says she feels she has gotten better as the season has progressed.

“I just try to keep the same mindset every time: stay calm and win,” Whitfill said. “I like to be positive all the time and do my best.”

Whitfill, who also takes part in volleyball and cheerleading, runs three miles after volleyball practice in the late afternoon. She said her family and her coaches are her biggest inspiration.

“They’ve been there every step of the way this year,” Whitfill said. “Cross country has helped me mentally and is kind of a relief for me. Kind of ‘I get to run now.’”