City-County XC: Weber’s Bryant fights through knee abrasion, claims boys race
Fremont boys claim team victory with five top-10 finishes
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- Weber’s Erik Bryant reaches for his teammate after winning the boys race during the 2025 City-County Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Harrisville.
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- Fremont’s Graham Judkins fights through the final stretch of the boys race during the 2025 City-County Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Harrisville.
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- Weber’s Erik Bryant fights through the final stretch of the boys race during the 2025 City-County Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Harrisville.
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- Runners take off during the 2025 City-County Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Harrisville.
HARRISVILLE — Just a couple of minutes after launching to the sound of the starting pistol, Weber High junior Erik Bryant felt something collide with his right knee.
It certainly hurt, Bryant said, and upon learning he’d fallen onto a literal railroad spike, he recalled a decision to stay in the fight or bow out right there.
“That’s when I told myself, ‘I gotta go,'” Bryant said.
Bryant ended up clocking his first City-County victory with a final time of 15:43.54, crossing the finish line with dried blood visible on his knee. He’d finish well ahead of runner-up Zack Steoger of Fremont, finishing second individually at 15:58.41.
It’s a bit ironic that the words “Golden Spike” are commonplace throughout Weber County Fairgrounds, next door to the Golden Spike Event Center at the same site. Moreover, the Golden Spike National Historical site in Promontory Summit rests an hour to the northwest.
For Bryant, though, Wednesday marked what he labeled a much-needed change after weeks of switching habits in an effort to improve his recovery, hydration and all the things that get his body “ready to move” on race day.
“I’ve been struggling a bit so far this season and need to find something to change,” Bryant said. “It felt so good today. A bit sore, but that’s expected. I just worked through it.”
The Warriors netted two more top-10 finishes by senior Aiden Bindrup, finishing sixth at 16:53.70, and senior Spencer Jackman, landing in 10th at 17:00.99.
Fremont claimed first place as a team, featuring five Silverwolves in the top 10: Stoeger in second, senior Graham Judkins in third, senior Beau Jenkin in fourth, junior Noah Malan sixth and freshman Duncan Judkins in ninth.
Two Region 13 representatives — Ben Lomond senior Daniel Budge (finishing fifth at 16:28.79), and Morgan junior Caleb Lewis (eighth, 16:56.00) — also joined the top 10. Ogden junior Daniel Ekstrom finished 11th at 17:10.51.
BOYS INDIVIDUAL TOP 10
1. Erik Bryant, Weber, 15:43.54
2. Zack Stoeger, Fremont, 15:58.41
3. Graham Judkins, Fremont, 16:13.61
4. Beau Jenkins, Fremont, 16:16.12
5. Daniel Budge, Ben Lomond, 16:28.79
6. Noah Malan, Fremont, 16:47.98
7. Aiden Bindrup, Weber, 16:53.70
8. Caleb Lewis, Morgan, 16:56.00
9. Duncan Judkins, Fremont, 16:56.49
10. Spencer Jackman, Weber, 17:00.99
BOYS TEAM FINISH
1. Fremont
2. Weber
3. Ogden
4. Morgan
5. West Field
6. Ben Lomond
7. Roy
8. Bonneville
Connect with reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.
