Samantha Mundel started out the Columbia Falls cross-country season on a strong note, taking third at the Libby Invitational in Libby on Aug. 31. Mundel clocked a 20:05 in the race.

“She was super solid,” coach Richard Menicke said. “She made a nice move to get to the front when she needed to.”

James Ratzlaff was the top runner for the boys in the varsity race, taking 21st with a time of 18:50. He was followed by Glenn Morden, 22nd, 18:52; Kyler Burns, 34th, 20:19; and Michael Sommers, 34th, 21:17.

Varsity finishers for the girls included Meredith Stolte, 21st, 22:49, and Britney Swartz, 32nd, 27:10.

Several junior varsity runners posted good times as well and will be vying for a varsity position in the coming weeks. On the boys side, Winfield West took second at 19:14; Storm Kemppainen was 10th, 20:39; Qynn Ingraham was 15th, 21:20; Hunter Peterson, 20th, 21:32; and Will Nelson, 23rd, 22:36.

Girls junior varsity runners included Kendra Cahoon, second, 23:24; Allie Folks, sixth, 24:03; Miranda Livingston, ninth, 24:44; Leanne Marino, 15th, 24:44; Haylie Peacock, n/a, 25:32, Morgan Christenson, 17th, 27:18; and Emily Getts, 22nd, 28:18.

Several of the boys team’s best runners ran the junior varsity race with non-scoring times because they didn’t have enough practices to run varsity. Shonn Roberts ran a 19:05, Zayne Brunz 19:16 and Haze Bell 19:35.

“Overall, I was pleased with the boys’ and girls’ efforts,” Menicke said.

The team travels to Cut Bank on Friday for a time trial.