MMA Junior Bryson Powell Earns All-State Honors at MSHSAA State Cross Country Championships

Delta Company Platoon Sergeant Bryson Powell earned a 21st place medal and All-State honors at the MSHSAA State Cross Country Championships on Nov. 6. Running the 5K in 16:40, Powell, a junior from Brighton, Colorado, eclipsed his personal record for the season of 17:47 by more than a minute.

The All-State honors come at the end of a successful season for Powell, who placed in the top five at every cross country event during the regular season.

“There have been some ups and downs,” Powell told the Mexico Ledger. “I ran a couple of 18:30s here and there — that was a bit of a bummer — but I’m just glad to make it through districts and state.”

Powell, who transferred to MMA this year, earned a 23^rd place finish in the Alaska state cross country meet last year, when he ran for South Anchorage High School. As for this year’s honors, he’s glad he could make the Colonels proud.

“It felt great to run my best time ever at the moment when it counted the most,” Powell says. “I can’t wait to bring the rest of the guys back here next year."

MMA Coach Ryan Nowlin is excited about the win as well.

“He’s one of the first state medalists we had in several years,” Nowlin told the Mexico Ledger. “We’re very proud of him.”