It becomes obvious in talking with Rod Tempel, head coach of the Libby cross-country team, that he loves his job.

His middle-school athletes finished their season making impressive improvements and the high-school runners competed well at Divisionals, but Tempel was most happy about his runners learning and growing.

The Divisional meet was held at Frenchtown and Libby’s runners set new personal records.

The Lady Loggers were led by Krysten Mossberg, the fantastic freshman, who set another PR with a 12th place 20:18. Courtney Bowe ran 26:25 for 30th place.

Cody Barrick led the boys, setting his own record and finishing 23rd with a time of 18:32. Eli Miller ran 19:58 and Caleb Hooper finished 30th with 21:03. Billy Topaz finished just behind Hooper, at 21:10 for 31st place.

The middle-school runners ended their season at Whitefish.

The younger runners were marked by improvements, and many made large ones.

Anna Carlson improved by 1:52, Kristen Lindgren by 3:54, Shannon Reny by 1:50, Allan Rice by 2:44, Maryssa Sanderson by 2:22, Jasmin Snyder by 2:59 and Liz Vanderhoef by a staggering 4:26.

The high-school athletes will run at the state meet this Saturday in Helena. 

The girls run at 11 a.m. and the boys at 12:10 p.m.