Cross country does well in Libby
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | August 30, 2023 2:00 AM
The Columbia Falls cross country teams had a good showing at the Libby Invitational to open the season Friday. The boys took fifth and the girls took third, in a meet that drew stiff competition from Coeur D’Alene, Idaho as well as Flathead.
Top runner for the girls was Ashley Andrews, who took seventh with a 21.12. Marissa Schaeffer was 12th with a 21:44 and freshman Cora Hannan was 14th with a 21:57.
“The kids had a great opening meet. We had a few kids that didn’t have enough practices to compete, and that left us a little short-handed, but it opened up opportunities for a couple other kids to get a taste of varsity competition. They made the most of it and everyone ran well,” coach Jim Peacock said.
Mya Badger was 17th with a 22:36 and Ruby Davis rounded out the scoring with a 24:38. Lucas Peterson was the top runner for the boys, taking 17th with a 17:36. His older brother Logan was 25th with a 17:49. Quinn Clark was 30th with a 18:22 and Eric Miner was 35th with a 18:52. Rounding out the top five was David Slama, 44th with a 19:16.Peacock said they were missing four varsity boys runners — two from injury and two without enough practices.
“The Libby course was running firm and fast, and our times were pretty darn good for a first race. It is going to be fun to watch how we match up with other teams in the next few weeks to get a better feel on where we stack up in the state picture,” he said.
Coeur D’Alene won the boys meet. Flathead the girls. The girls were just 3 points shy from tying Coeur D’Alene.The team now travels to Cut Bank Friday and then Rebecca Farm on SEpt. 8. Peacock said the field will be very competitive in Kalispell, with all but one AA school competing, as this is also the course for the state meet later this year.
ARTICLES BY CHRIS PETERSON
City passes emergency bear ordinance
The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night passed an emergency bear ordinance that requires people to secure garbage and other attractants from bears roaming into town.
Volunteer organizations were busy on trails this summer
A host of local nonprofit land stewardship organizations were busy in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the North Fork of the Flathead and other local wildlands making sure trails were cleared and other key projects were getting support.
Planning commission talks stream setbacks, other codes
In a wide-ranging meeting that went from bears to development setbacks on rivers and streams, the Columbia Falls Planning Board earlier this month looked at a host of issues facing the city after the implementation of the Montana land Use Planning Act earlier this year.