Despite obstacles, cross-country team performs well
(Photo courtesy of Levi Bonnell) Connor Alexander competing at the Libby invitational meet.
LIBBY, Mont. — Bonners Ferry cross-country competed on Aug. 27 at the Cabinet View Golf Course, in a 5K meet hosted by Libby High School.
According to head coach Tyler Warner, the course was mostly grass with cooler temperatures making it an “exceptional and fast morning.”
Timberlake, Lakeland and Coeur d’Alene were notable schools from Idaho that competed in the run, with many schools from Montana also participating.
Ceci Roemer and Camille Ussher both competed in the girls varsity cross country race. However, according to Warner, there have been eligibility issues for not having enough practices, conflicts with family vacations and work schedules.
Warner stated both Roemer and Ussher started in the front pack of girls and stayed about the same position for most of the race.
“Camille sort of fell off the pack, going out very aggressively in the first mile, but rebounded in the last 200m, catching several girls to finish right behind Ceci,” Warner said.
Roemer finished in eighth place with a time of 22:15 and Ussher finished in 22:25, a 3-second improvement to a personal record.
“It is very encouraging to see both girls running this well so early in the season, and I think both girls were even a little impressed with themselves,” Warner said. “Camille has put in a lot of work in between track season and now, and it showed.”
Warner stated that Ussher had one of her best performances in cross-country and persevered; summer runs and workouts benefited both girls.
Boys varsity was led by Connor Alexander, staying with the front crew for most of the way. A pack of three Coeur d'Alene underclassmen took off, setting a pretty tough pace, but Connor held on very well, according to Warner.
“Alexander ended up finishing sixth with a time of 17:26, just 15 seconds off his personal best,” Warner said.
Justin Strugar was next across the finish line for the Badgers, coming in at 20:28, a 20-second improvement to his personal best. Finally, Wyatt Smith came in at 21:57, which Warner said was “a solid showing for him in the first race of his sophomore season.”
In the junior varsity races, Liliana Brinkman demonstrated excellent composure and excellent running form, according to Warner.
“She's come a long way running wise. She finished sixth in the girls JV race with a time of 31:19, Warner said. “We also had several runners who finished their first-ever high school cross-country races.”
Freshman Trina Johnson in the girls JV race finished in 35:51. In the boys race, Ian Williams and Chase Xitco came in at 26:45 and 27:30, respectively.
Warner stated it’s a great start to the season, considering how few runners are available, but he believes the Badgers will become more competitive as more students become eligible.
Roem and Ussher finished ahead of the first runner from Timberlake, and Alexander finished ahead of the Timberlake runners who made the trip.
“I suspect they're also dealing with summer jobs, vacations, and other eligibility factors, but it is nonetheless encouraging to see our team doing so well this early,” Warner said.