Pirates capture girls title at Hamilton Invite

Lake County cross-country programs turned in strong performances Thursday at the Hamilton Invitational, where the Polson girls captured the team championship and several Mission Valley runners logged personal records under sunny skies at the Daly Mansion course.

The Lady Pirates edged out a deep field of western Montana programs, scoring 64 points to hold off Frenchtown (80) and Corvallis (85) to win their first meet of the year. Junior Morgan Delaney claimed the individual title with a time of 19:05.87, while younger sister Quinn Delaney finished second overall in a personal-best 19:21.25.

Sophomore Koko Scott placed sixth in 20:30.04, and Taryn Cochran finished 17th in a personal-best 21:25.15. Senior Brittian Davis took 46th, just ahead of teammates Elsie Detert (47th, 24:13.09 PR) and Skyleigh Stinchfield (48th, 24:22.37 PR), rounding out the Pirates’ scoring five. The victory marked Polson’s second invitational title of the fall.

Ronan’s girls finished eighth with 202 points, led by junior Annie Adams in 28th place (22:09.76). Sophomore Gracie Heiner followed in 38th (23:06.73 PR), while Hayden DustyBull placed 50th, DeeDee Ellsworth 55th, and Bailee Woll 56th to close out team scoring.

Mission’s Raileigh McDonald placed 41st (23:25.58), followed by Brooklyn Leishman in 45th (24:04.78) and Quincey Jensen 70th (26:25.06). Arlee’s Kaidance Pierre finished 69th (26:22.31), and Izabella Knoll was 73rd (26:46.56 PR) as both continued to show consistency for the Warriors.

On the boys’ side, Ronan finished fourth with 151 points behind a breakout performance from senior Devon BigMedicine, who placed 11th overall (17:22.56 PR). He was followed by Jhett McDonald (32nd, 18:20.75), Will Normandeau (34th, 18:24.54), Matiya Nenemay (35th, 18:26.03 PR), and Tobias Wilson (48th, 19:03.96).

Polson’s boys placed sixth (182 points), led by David DiGiallonardo, who earned the individual win in 16:14.16 - his second meet win of the year. He was followed by Wyatt Boogerd (22nd, 18:04.90 PR), Christopher Sopke (41st, 18:47.05 PR), and Tayshawn Edmo (42nd, 18:50.25 PR).

Arlee’s Trevor VanMaanen took 29th (18:18.85), and teammate Aarinnario NorthPeigan followed in 58th (19:39.13 PR). Two Eagle River’s Anthony Sheridan placed 54th (19:31.53 PR), while Mission’s Jason Leishman finished 68th (20:00.02) to lead their respective squads.

    David DiGiallonardo, who earned the individual win at 16:14.16 during the Hamilton Invite. (Jason Delaney Photo)
  

    Wyatt Boogerd placed 22nd with a PR of 18:04.90 at the Hamilton Invite. (Jason Delaney Photo)