Helena Invitational Cross-Country Meet
Author: MT43 News Sports Reporter
Helena Invitational Cross-Country Meet
MT43 News Sports Reporter
Bill Roberts Golf Course in Helena was the site of last Thursday’s Capital City 7 of 7 Invitational Cross-Country Meet. Fifty-six schools from all classes brought more than 1100 runners for the nine distinct races. The hours-long event starts with the Junior Varsity Women’s and Men’s Races, much like a traditional meet.
Representing the JV Women in the first race of the day were Tana Santi (26:30) in 175th and Fiona Nelson (35:34) in 271st. The JV Men’s squad scored 723 points to place 24th with the following finishes: 150th Isaiah Lapsley (20:33 PR), 195th Gavin Johnson (21:14), 241st Urijah Duede (21:51 PR), 351st Trey Coker (25:02) and 376th Wyatt Coker (29:20).
The Men and Women Varsity teams are then separated into seven separate races #1-#7. As determined by their coaches, the seven Varsity runners are each placed in one of the races, with the #1 competitor as the team’s fastest runner.
This format allows for seven individual girls’ winners and seven individual boys’ winners. The afternoon was sunny and delightful for spectators, but a tad warm for the competitors, as they took on a challenging course over rolling hills.
Senior Samuel Flesch (21:13) was the lone Bulldog in the No. 7 race, finishing 37th. Fellow seniors Keaton Cavasos (20:59) and Logan Barkhurst (27:12) were 35th and 36th in the No. 6 race. The No. 5 race saw juniors Luke Tollos (21:13) and Shalyn Sentinella (25:28) in 36th and 35th. Rylan Hoveland (20:17) and Addy Mosher (25:53) were 35th and 34th in the No. 4 contest.
Up next in the No. 3 race for the Bulldogs were Clayton Rice (20:11), who finished 34th, and Bella McDaniel (24:47), who placed 31st. Senior Gavin Green (19:10) was 31st in the No. 2 race, along with Elaine MacDonald (21:59) in 27th. The last contest of the day saw Juniors Dallas Fligge (18:10) place 28th and Kyla Meissner (19:59) finish in 15th.
Bulldogs looked a bit fatigued on the day, which a long season running hundreds of miles starts to take. They have unfortunately passed around a bit of a bug, while others are nursing some injuries. They are looking to regroup in time for what is being considered their home meet this season by taking on the area schools at the annual Crosstown meet in Helena on Wednesday, October 15th.
The MHSA All-Class Cross-Country Championships will be held Saturday, October 25th in Missoula at the University of Montana Golf Course. Many of these Bulldogs have the potential to do well against Class B competitors only, so make the trip to Missoula to cheer them on. The men will take off at 11:30, while the ladies go at 12:30. Go Bulldogs!
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Image 1 Caption: Always a determined runner, Urijah Duede clocked his personal best time at the Capital 7 on 7.
Photo Credit: MT43 News Sports Reporter
Image 2 Caption: Sophomore Gavin Johnson has steadily improved over his first season running cross-country.
Photo Credit: MT43 News Sports Reporter
Image 3 Caption: Freshman Tana Santi follows in the footsteps of big sister, Justene, who now runs for Western.
Photo Credit: MT43 News Sports Reporter
