Despite rain, cross country performs well

BONNERS FERRY — Despite a rainy Saturday, the Badgers performed well at their 5K home cross country meet Saturday, Sept. 18, breaking a number of personal records.

Five schools from the Intermountain League participated, including 5A’s Coeur d’Alene High School.

Funds used from the High 5 grant and the city of Bonners Ferry helped develop the gravel path that was incorporated into the course known as Badger Trail.

Coach Tyler Warner said he was glad the rain wasn’t a torrential downpour like initially expected. And, despite the weather, he said many of the schools complimented the course and Badger Trail.

Warner said illness and injury sidelined many athletes for this meet, with Coeur d’Alene being the only team to field an entire girls team in both division races.

Although Coeur d'Alene performed well, there were many outstanding performances by the Badgers.

“In team scoring, we finished third in the boys’ varsity race but we’re not able to field full teams in any of the other races due to the aforementioned injuries and illnesses,” Warner said.

Warner said a significant accomplishment was Connor Alexander's second-place finish, with a time of 17:20; just short of first place by 13 seconds.

“We've noticed the last couple of weeks that his turnover, the frequency [in] which his feet make contact with the ground, was slowing late in the last couple of races,” Warner said. “So this week, we focused on him having quick feet, especially at the end of workouts."

Warner believes the results happened quickly and will continue to work with Alexander going forward.

Levi Bonnell and Wyatt Smith broke personal records; Bonnell clocking in at 19:25.8 and Smith at 20:46.

“Bonnell is a great team guy and leader, it's awesome seeing guys who love watching their teammates succeed have their own triumphs,” Warner said.

Wyatt is highly coachable, and he’s always asking how he can improve and has been putting those pieces together really well so far, Warner said. “He's been getting PRs on challenging courses, so I expect those times to improve, even more.”

Carson Dineen posted his fastest time of the season and Collin Fairchild finally got his first race under his belt after joining the team late in the season.

Ian Williams and Chase Xitco both had PRs in the boys’ junior varsity race. Lilianna Brinkman also had a season-best time, while Trina Johnson posted an overall PR in the girls’ junior varsity race.

According to Warner, for the athletes to have personal records broken or season-best times is impressive because of the course.

A third of the first mile is flat with some hills; the third mile is mostly downhill. The second mile is a mix of uphill and downhill, and technical turns.

Warner said he rather the athletes experience these injuries or illnesses early in the season, as it gives them time to recover before districts at the end of October.

“Late season injuries are a little more difficult to deal with, so while we would have liked to have had a stronger team showing at home, but I'm happy with the individual performances and the team's willingness to roll with the punches and still post quick times,” Warner said.

Bonners Ferry will be competing in Kellogg on Sept. 30.