Braden leads XC girls to fourth at Libby Invitational

LIBBY, Mont. — Bonners Ferry senior Melody Braden took first out of 62 runners at the Libby Invitational at Cabinet View Country Club on Friday.

"Melody set out to run with the front pack, planning to make a break mid-race if possible," said head coach Paul Bonnell. "Ronan's one and two (runners) challenged this strategy, but were unable to stay with Braden, who continued to pull away, building on an 8-second gap at the two-mile to the finish."

A 3A state title contender, Braden finished 23 seconds ahead of the second-place runner from Ronan, contributing to the Badgers' fourth overall team finish.

"I didn't know if I could do it," she said. "Whitefish's Hanson was in the lead at the one mile. I started falling behind. Then the Ronan one-two started to move on Whitefish, which helped push me to the front."

Bonnell was pleased with the team's performance.

"I was impressed with how Bonners Ferry ran with some of the strongest teams in the region," he said. "It's always a pleasure to race with the Montana teams at the Libby Invite, to see friends and competition from Flathead Lake Distance running camp, and to see how our athletes compare across the region."

The Badgers' Sam Hiatt placed 15th and Mandy Sandaker took 17th, running 21:27 and 21:32, respectively.

They both used race tactics to move past competitors throughout the race, Bonnell said.

Also for Bonners, Erin Hiatt took 23rd and Molly McClintock placed 24th, with times of 21:52 and 21:55, respectively.

"McClintock had a remarkable finishing kick, making good on the strategy she used in the state championships in Lewiston last year," Bonnell said.

Camille Robertson took 37th in what may been the best race of her high school career thus far, finishing in 23 minutes flat and remaining determined and focused over the three miles, Bonnell said.

Rayanne McLeish, who placed 46th, made the best of a start that left her blocked by the pack to move forward several places, securing a time of 23:40, Bonnell said.

"Racing against some of the best competition in northwestern Montana provided the girls' team what they wanted — challenge on a new course," he added.

Whitefish won the meet with 43 points after placing five girls in the top 20.

Ronan followed with 75, Flathead 79, Bonners Ferry 80, and Glacier 84, Polson 202, Timberlake 229 and Libby 258. Schools without full teams were Columbia Falls, Kellogg, Lincoln County, Mullan, Plains and Thompson Falls.

For the Bonners Ferry junior varsity team, Riley Boorman took 11th in 23:36, earning a varsity berth in the Kellogg Invitational on Sept. 6.

Aimee McLeish took 33rd in 27:26.

Marti Wright took 39th.

"She had a strong last 100 meters in her second race to finish 33:14," Bonnell said.