The Columbia Falls cross-country team took a breather last week, running the junior varsity races at the Flathead Invitational on Sept. 8.

The team had three runners out with injuries — James Ratzlaff, Carlee Brown and Sadie Panasuk. They race again Wednesday in Frenchtown, where the divisional meet will be hosted later this year, coach Richard Menicke said.

Top runner on the boys side was Zayne Brunz, who took eighth with a time of 18:30.72. He was followed by Seth McCall, 15th, 18:51.2; Glenn Morden, 19th, 19:00.55, Shonn Roberts, 28th, 19:31.18, Jayce Fagerland, 32nd, 19:37.95; and Michael Nicosia, 84th, 21:58.65.

On the girls side, the team took the top-three places. Meredith Stolte won the race with a time of 21:39.17. She was followed by Tori Price, at 21:35.56, and Samantha Mundel, at 22:01.61. Brittany Swartz took 18th with a time of 23:39.13.

Menicke had kudos for Morden, who is shaping up to be a good runner as a freshman, and for Fagerland, who is coming off back surgery.

He said the girls race was a good confidence booster for the team. The team will travel to Ronan Saturday.