BFHS boys, Gorton win home meet

BONNERS FERRY — The Badgers cross country team had their first meet on Saturday, Aug. 25, with the air quality holding on just well enough for the runners to compete. After Libby had to cancel its meet the previous day, they joined the race at the last minute. With the crews and volunteers being flexible, they were able to accommodate both Libby and Thompson Falls in addition to the originally scheduled Priest River and Kellogg, bringing five teams together to run.

Two races were ran over the 5K (3.11 miles) course. Junior Abby Gorton won the girls race with a time of 20:43, and senior Emily Gorino finished in the top 10 with a time of 25:58.

In the team scoring there were three complete girls teams. Priest River was first with 31 points, Bonners Ferry was second with 41 points, and Thompson Falls was third with 48 points.

Five of the Badger boys finished in the top 10, with Hunter Smith placing third with the time of 18:47, and Sam Gorton fourth with 19:12, Austin Donn finished fifth with 19:31, and Ty Grigg finished in eighth place with the time of 20:40, followed by Duncan McKechnie in ninth place.

Bonners Ferry boys won the meet with a score of 29, Priest River was second with 41 points, and Kellogg was third with 53.

“Abby Gorton led the girls race pretty much from the start, and it was never really close,” said Coach Tyler Warner. “She kept her pace up well and never relinquished the distance she gained.”

Some of the team members were not eligible for scoring as they missed practices.

“Once practices are completed the girls team will only get better,” said Warner. “Same situation for the boys. Conner Alexander would have finished right behind Austin Donn if he had been eligible for scoring.”

For complete results: https://bit.ly/2wt65v1