GRAND PRAIRIE — For the first mile, Bryce Denton could hear the pounding steps of a competitor. But gradually, those sounds became fainter.
The Anna senior cruised to victory in Tuesday’s Class 5A Region II boys cross country race by a margin of almost a half-minute with a time of 15:19.17.
“Everything went to plan,’’ said Denton, who finished second at regional a year ago and third at state. “I wanted to go out hard, stay consistent and run all alone at the end.’’
Familiarity is also an advantage: “I’ve raced this course for four years and I have a good feel for it.’’
Denton, who ran at a 4:56 per mile pace, came to cross country as a freshman, stepping away from soccer in the process.
Josh McCartney, a senior at Frisco Heritage, was runner-up.
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