By Matt Browning

Alivia Bacon from South Haven/Caldwell was voted the Wichita Small School Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Bacon received nearly 1,500 votes, which was almost 58 percent of the overall vote.

“Some of the runners in this poll have been my competition at a lot of my meets and I can promise you they are amazing and deserving of this award also,” Bacon said. “I believe what sets me apart and gives me the most points is definitely the love and support of my tribe.”

Bacon has broken numerous records at South Haven and many times has broken her personal records.

“I have made a lot of personal growth this year and I attribute that to conditioning year-round,” Bacon said. “I play basketball and then go right into track and this past summer I also ran summer track and made it to the AAU Junior Olympics in Humble, Texas. That really was a game changer in coming back into cross country as I could pretty much pick up where I left off last year and didn’t have to recondition myself.”

Bacon is also involved in 4-H Jets, Native American Student Association, FCCLA, Future Farmers of America, Sumner County Community Drug Action Team, AYC3, Youth Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Sumner County 4-H Extension Council.

After she graduates in two years, Bacon wants to run at Cowley County and study sports medicine.