Running Strong
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HAMILTON — Both the Polson Pirate boys and girls cross country teams finished third at the Hamilton Invitational Saturday at the Daly Mansion in Hamilton. Leading the way for the Lady Pirates was Claudia Hewston, who continued her outstanding season with a second place finish in 18:47 to lead the girls.
“Claudia showed her strength and determination by surging ahead of two of her key Class A rivals,” head coach Matt Seeley said. “She established herself as one of the favorites at the state meet in three weeks.”
Seeley added that Hewston has been getting better every week and has added some tactical savvy to her speed and fitness.
“It should be fun to watch Claudia in the next few weeks, “ he added.
Also running strong for the Lady Pirates was Tegan Bauer, who ran the course in 20:20, to finish seventh overall, giving her team the second-place victory.
“Tegan is a tough competitor and is gaining fitness just in time to go for a high finish at the championship meets at the end of the season,” Seeley said.
Hallie Hovenkotter finished in 22:03 and Amanda Stoble was close behind with a time of 23:33. Marlee Seemann also ran a solid race, finishing in 23:42.
“Hallie (Hovenkotter) is becoming a very impressive runner and Amanda (Stoble) really moved up this week,” Seeley said. “Amanda dropped more than 30 seconds from her time in Missoula last weekend.”
On the boys’ side, senior Alex Nystrom once again led the boys with a fast time of 17:16 to capture 10th place overall. Following closely behind was Jared Rubel (17:48) to help his team capture second place.
“In his first year of cross country, Jared has worked hard and proven he can compete with some of the best runners in the conference,” Seeley said.
Jimmy Bjorge finished in 17:50, while Tel Motichka ran the course in 18:03. Chaz Brewer was the final Polson boy to complete the course, running a time of 18:22.
According to Seeley, the team was running without last week’s frontrunner Travis Hayes, who was out with a minor injury.
“They still ran well and have high hopes for great results at the end of the year,” Seeley said.
This week, the Pirate runners will head to Dillon Saturday.
Also competing in the meet were teams from Arlee and Mission.
Paden Alexander finished sixth with a time of 16:56 to lead the Mission boys.
Al Plant led the Arlee boys’ team with a time of 19:06. Also competing were Dominic Burland 21:02; Zane Ligas, 21:11; and Zach Felsman with a time of 22:46. The Arlee boys’ JV team was led by Donovan McDonald with a time of 18:08 and Jordan Keltner 24:04.
Head Coach Katea Dreiling said she didn’t have any girl runners because of illnesses, but she was impressed with McDonald’s time in his first meet.
Dreiling said McDonald is splitting his time between football and cross country.
“We’re expecting some great times from McDonald as he gets more comfortable on the courses,” Dreiling said.
BOYS
Team scores: Hamilton 51, Corvallis 52, Polson 97, Dillon 107, Ronan 159, Anaconda 184, St. Ignatius 199. Also competing: Arlee, Darby, Drummond, Bigfork.
Top 15 individual
1, Doug Raymer, Dar, 16:03; 2, Colby Henderson, Cor, 16:15; 3, Easton Albert, Ham, 16:22; 4, Chase Stoker, Cor, 16:42; 5, Aidan Theard, Ana, 16:49; 6, Paden Alexander, St.I, 16:56; 7, Morly Jessop, Cor, 17:02; 8, Anthony Schmalz, Ham, 17:13; 9, Karill Apedaile, Ham, 17:15; 10, Alex Nystrom, Pol, 17:16; 11, Morgan Larson, Dil, 17:22; 12, Sage Schoonen, Dil, 17:29; 13, Sean Hansen, Dar, 17:37; 14, Emmet Stoker, Cor, 17:38; 15, Denny Hoselton, Ham, 17:41.
GIRLS
Team scores: Corvallis 41, Hamilton 72, Polson 89, Dillon 137, Ronan 152. Also competing: Bigfork, Darby, Drummond, St. Ignatius.
Top 15 individuals 1, Makena Morley, BF, 17:53; 2, Claudia Hewston, Pol, 18:57; 3, Sadi Henderson, Cor, 19:12; 4, Olivia Wood, Ana, 19:14; 5, Isabella Pape, Cor, 19:43; 6, Kaycie Stewart, Cor, 19:49; 7, Tegan Bauer, Pol, 20:20; 8, Sara Amish, Ham, 20:26; 9, Chelsea Olson, BF, 20:35; 10, Abbi Morgan, Dil, 20:47; 11, Lakyn Conners, Cor, 21:02; 12, Seanna Abrahamsen, Dar, 21:03; 13, Jenny Smith, Ham, 21:16; 14, Kaitlyn Stromberg, Ham, 21:47; 15, Hallie Hovenkotter, Pol, 22:03.
