Many runners reach personal bests

Many runners on Bonners Ferry High School’s cross country team boasted personal bests during an invitational in Missoula over the weekend.

“Some clearly ran outside of themselves in the massive meet, taking the energy and festivity of the day and funneling it into motivation,” said Badger Coach Paul Bonnell. “Badger front-runners Erin Hiatt and Dylan Sweeney both placed in the top-third of runners, a solid showing.” 

More than 55 schools participated in the meet, with almost 300 competing in the girls varsity event. The same number ran for the boys varsity race. Junior varsity races included 200 runners.

Bozeman girls won the varsity race with 99 points. Bonners Ferry placed 31st with 222 points.

Gonzaga Prep won the boys varsity race with 89 points. Bonners Ferry placed 27th with 264 points.

For Lady Badgers, Katy Hiatt fended off pursuers, while Alicia Burnham recovered from a fall at 800 meters to come back and be the third-place runner for the team, Bonnell said.

“Freshman Brooklyn Wilson met her goal,” Bonnell added. “Senior Molly McClintock showed her six years of experience by passing upwards of 30 competitors over the course of the race.”

Erin Hiatt placed 94th with a run of 20:50 followed by McClintock, 116th in 21:06; Burnham, 176th in 22:08; Lorena LaBarbera, 213th in 23:07; Riley Boorman, 224th in 23:17; and Katy Hiatt, 245th in 24:30.

For the junior varsity Lady Badgers, Katie Winebark passed five people at a shot on the downhill.

Katrina Svec placed 182nd in 25:08 followed by Winebark, 210th in 25:53; JoJo Worley, 253rd in 27:28; and Cassie Stephens, 263rd in 28:41.

For the boys, Reid Boorman used passing maneuvers to move forward through the stampede, Bonnell said.

“Jimmy Matthews passed 12 competitors in the final 400,” Bonnell added. “Greg Taggart ran quite well even following a bee sting to the face at the 2-mile mark.”

Sweeney led the Badgers, placing 93rd with a run of 17:05 followed by Matthews, 140th in 17:38; Zach Hammond, 148th in 17:42; Micah Krmpotich, 196th in 18:16; Boorman, 204th in 18:26; and Taggart, 231st in 18:54.

 For junior varsity, Nathan Grow placed 246th with a run of 22:07.07 and Eli Bard placed 269th with a time of 23:24.99.

The race course covered much of the University of Montana golf course, making an out-and-back before circling around, challenging a steep hill, reversing a dog-leg and following a gentle downhill for 400-600 meters to the finish. 

The Badgers on Saturday, Oct. 4, will participate in the Sandpoint Invitational in Dover.