Briley inks with Northwest Missouri State

For the second consecutive year, the Creston/O-M football team will be sending one of its players on to Northwest Missouri State University — to run cross country.

Panther senior Bryce Briley signed his National Letter of Intent Monday morning to run cross country and track and field for the Bearcats next year, joining former teammate Brandon Phipps.

Briley will be the sixth former Creston Panther on the Bearcat track and field team next year, joining former Panthers Phipps, Audrey Bolinger, Brianna Maitlen, Emily Wignall and Maria Mostek, who also signed a National Letter of Intent with Northwest Missouri State this year.

“This is amazing. He is going to be running cross country and track and field down at Northwest Missouri State,” Creston head boys track coach Pat Schlapia said. “The pipeline continues.”

Briley capped off his high school athletic career by placing eighth in the Class 3A 800 meters at the 2015 Co-ed State Track Meet, running in an individual event at the state meet for the first time in his career.

He also ran on Creston’s eighth-place 4x800 relay, in addition to owning state meet medals in last year’s 4x800 and 4x400 relays.

“With what he’s been able to do being on our 4x400 and 4x800, this is the feather in the cap,” Schlapia said. “This is a good example to show all our boys on the track team, this shows what hard work will do for a person. These are the rewards of what hard work will do for a person.”

Briley ranks as the second-fastest 800 meter runner in Creston history, behind school-record holder and teammate Jay Wolfe. Briley’s best time came at the Panther Relays this year, where he ran 1:57.23 to qualify for the Drake Relays.

The Panther senior finished 15th at the Drake Relays in the 800 meters.

“I didn’t realize I ran a 1:57, but I did,” Briley said. “I was pretty excited about that. I always want to keep improving and I look to do better next year.”

Briley said his familiarity with the Northwest Missouri State campus from being there for football camps played a big role in his decision to go there.

Also, having familiar faces on the cross country and track teams is an added bonus.

“It helps a lot, because I’ve already talked to a bunch of their teammates just from him (Phipps) and he kind of tells me what’s going to happen,” Briley said. “I’m really excited, because I’ve never really ran year round. I’m excited to see what I can do, because Phipps improved a lot.”

Briley said the Northwest Missouri State coaching staff plans to have him run the 400 and 800 for them, in addition to taking on the mile at times.

“Coach Lorek is going to get an outstanding runner,” Schlapia said. “They were needing some people in the 400 and 800. It’s a very proud moment seeing someone who has a big heart like he does being able to go down there.”

Briley said he plans to major in an agriculture-related field, most likely agricultural science.