The Polson Pirates and Lady Pirates cross country teams began their season with a 400-meter splits Friday night at Polson High School.

The idea behind this preseason run is to not only challenge the racers ability to pace themselves and exceed expectations but also build team unity in a sport that has an individual and team concept.

“Obviously, some of the runners are masters of the pace and other runners are still learning,” Pirates, Lady Pirates coach Matt Seeley said. “We had at least one new entry on all of the eight lists and some were right at the top.”

Seeley said he was “pleased” with the turnout of his team.

“We had a lot of hard work and enthusiasm at the track last night,” Seeley said. “The conditions were absolutely ideal, and the kids and adult runners (that participated) responded with a number of record-breaking runs. If it wasn’t for my pesky hamstring strain, I would have called it a perfect night at the track.”

Seeley said freshman Mason Sloan began his cross country running career off well. Sloan (19 minutes, 6 seconds)

Sophomore Kendrick Baker improved on his time, Seeley said.

Baker finished with a time of 18 minutes, 34 seconds and Gwen Seeley finished with a time of 21 minutes, 40 seconds. David Castillo (19 minutes, 15 seconds) improved dramatically, Seeley said.

“They dropped a minute or more from last year and established fifth runner status on the Pirate team while earning seventh and eighth place on the list,” Seeley said.

Junior members of the Pirates squad Makaulyn Morrison ran a time of 18 minutes, 30 seconds, Quin Stewart ran at 17 minutes, 30 seconds and Jonah DuCharme finished the season at 17 minutes, 13 seconds. DuCharme and Stewart finished third and fourth, respectively.

“Stewart and DuCharme demonstrated mature pack running tactics,” Seeley said.

Senior Landon Shipley finished third with a time of 17 minutes, 5 seconds.

Girls team begins season strong

Polson Lady Pirates runner Naima Crowl dropped two minutes from last year and smashed the all-time senior best for the No. 1 spot on the list.

“She was even surprised by earning the No. 1 spot on the list,” Seeley said.

When looking at the girls team roster, their strength is in their upperclassmen.

Bea Frissell and Molly Sitter produced two of the four fastest times ever run at this event. Frissell recorded a time of 18 minutes, 11 seconds and Sitter finished the event with a time of 18 minutes, 39 seconds.

“They established themselves as true contenders to take the No. 2 and No. 3 spots,” Seeley said. “Breaking 19 minutes at the start of the season is pretty incredible.”

Senior Malia Seeley broke the 20-minute barrier for the first time.

“She continued her uncanny parallel trajectory of the Polson running legend Claudia Hewston to score numbers,” Lady Pirates’ coach Matt Seeley said.

Other runners that had good times included Nina Barfoot, who finished seventh and recorded a time of 21 minutes, 30 seconds to earn the No. 7 spot. Gwen Seeley dropped a minute from last year

and established herself as the fifth runner by earning the No. 8 spot, according to Seeley.

The performance of both of the girls and boys team has Seeley excited about the prospects of the season.

With all of the talent he has returning on the boys and girls side he said he can’t help but to be optimistic about his team’s prospects as they prepare to head into the 2017 campaign. Seeley knows there is a number of variables that dictate success but he said the expectations are “high.”

“This is going to be a season to remember,” Seeley said.