From BleckleyProgress.com

Community News
An afternoon for the Runnin' Royals.
By Dave Whitaker
Nov 11, 2016, 19:38

Last Friday, the BCHS cross country teams made history when they won the first back to back state titles in any sport (boys) and the girls won their first state title. On this Friday afternoon, it was time to honor the champions.

After a good softball season, Lady Royals players Ashlyn Williams, Caroline Thrower, Abbey Sims, and Faith Harris were fans.


A reception for both teams was held in the cafeteria. Students were then called to the gym for a rally to celebrate. Principal Trey Beflower waived his arms encouraging the crowd to be louder. As the Royal Kingsmen band began to play Krypton fanfare followed by the fight song, teams came running onto the gym floor introduced by teacher Randy Thompson.

After running onto the court, teams took a victory lap around before gathering in the center.


Thompson recognized all the runners who placed at state. Macy Moe, Dayton Cannon, Garrett Rogers, and two-time individual state champion Carl Ellis Corley were recognized as having made the all state team. Of course, no celebration would be complete without hearing from head coach Shelly Cranford.

Cranford took time to thank students for their support of cross country as well as other sports, adding his teams as well as those in the stands meant a lot to him. He said their success was a culmination of work that began at the middle school six or seven years ago, adding that it doesn't always work out but the state titles came from work began at the middle school from athletes on the floor as well as some in the stands.

These students were big fans of Carson Kuck.


Cranford said he felt "so blessed from God" to be able to work with cross country, teach at BCMS, as well as getting to interact with the other students. Amongst the guests in attendance were former Royals football coach Jimmy Kilpatrick and wife Margaret.

People applaud as Cranford thanks Coach Kilpatrick for his support.


Cranford, tearing up at times, took time to thank Kilpatrick for "going to bat for me in 1989." Coach Kilpatrick came from the stands to stand with Cranford as he expressed appreciation for both.

Veterans recognized L-R: Ray Martin, Randy Thompson (teachers) and substitute teacher Jim Adams.


In honor of Veteran's Day, Belflower took time to recognize three people associated with BCHS who served. They were Ray Martin, Thompson, and substitute teacher Jim Adams. The day ended with Jon Holland Jones singing the national anthem.

While true a goal to win state doesn't always equal that result, sometimes dreams do come true.

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