XC squad competes in Farragut Invitational

—Courtesy photo Ada Bonnell competes at the Farragut Invitational this past Saturday.

—Courtesy photo Runners take off from the starting line at a recent Bonners Ferry Invitational.

| September 15, 2016 1:00 AM

Courtesy photo Runners take off from the starting line at a recent Bonners Ferry Invitational.

On Saturday, the Badger cross country team returned to the site of the 2015 State Championships: Farragut State Park. Timberlake High School hosted the 5K course featuring a wide variety of turns and hills on a warm, sunny day. Schools from as far as Boise made the trek north to test the course and North Idaho competitors.

Freshman Nathan Olsen got the day started for Bonners Ferry by running in the boys JV race. Olsen finished the course in 25:51.

After that, the varsity girls took to the state park course. Leading the way for Bonners Ferry was, once again, Abigail Gorton. She finished in 22:47 while junior Ada Bonnell crossed the line in 24:50. Lauren Stidham was third for Bonners Ferry with a 27:41. Rayan Naylor and Elisabeth Cowley rounded out the girls team with times of 28:10 and 29:38 respectively. The girls finished 12th out of 12 complete teams.

The boys varsity team finished slightly better, but still fell behind IML foes Timberlake, Coeur d’Alene Charter, and Priest River. Senior Captain Eric Ellis led the way with sophomore Sam Gorton. Ellis and Gorton would finish in 19:17 and 19:22 respectively. Freshman Austin Donn broke the 20 minute barrier with a 19:35 as well. Also breaking 20 minutes was Dawson Thomas, working his way back from injury, to post a 19:57. Ryne Rae came close with a 20:16 while Nick Magdaleno finished in 21:22 and Alex Urbaniak crossed at 24:42.

The Badger boys finished in 11th out of 13 complete teams.

“Priest River beat us by only a few points,” BFHS cross country coach Tyler Warner said. “While it is discouraging for the boys to be fourth in the league right now, we have to keep the long term in mind. Ultimately, we don’t make it to state by winning in September. We’ve got time to train and get better for when it does matter in October. Same goes for the girls.”

Assistant coach Catherine DelSalle agreed there was reason for optimism. “We are very young and gaining experience,” she said. “The team will gain fitness and recover from injuries. There is time.”

The Badgers will next head to Hayden Canyon on N. Government Way for the Coeur d’Alene Invite on Sept. 17. Races start at 9 a.m.