Mission Valley runners shine at Mission Shadow Duels

Mission Valley’s cross-country teams showed their depth and dominance Saturday at the Mission Shadow Duels hosted at Silver Fox Golf Course in Pablo. Runners from Polson, Ronan, Mission, Arlee, Two Eagle River, and St. Ignatius all delivered standout performances.

Polson Girls Capture Team Title

The Polson Lady Pirates ran away with the girls’ team title, scoring 38 points and placing four runners in the top 10.

Junior Morgan Delaney claimed first place with a commanding time of 18:54.58, followed closely by her sister, freshman Quinn Delaney, who finished second in 19:35.76. Senior Koko Scott placed fourth in 20:15.56, while Taryn Cochran rounded out the Pirates’ top four with a ninth-place time of 21:33.90.

Polson’s depth was on full display, with Brittian Davis placing 26th in 23:41.40 and Skyleigh Stinchfield finishing as the second JV runner in 23:37.76.

Ronan Girls Place Sixth

The Ronan Maidens earned sixth place overall with 119 points, led by junior Annie Adams, who placed 16th in 22:12.02. Freshman Gracie Heiner ran a personal-best 23:04.24 for 20th, while her sister Emma Heiner finished 27th in 23:57.58, also a PR.

Hayden DustyBull came in 35th with a time of 24:39.66, and senior Maddie Duffey was 38th in 24:49.73 to complete the scoring five.

Mission’s Raileigh McDonald led her team with a 39th-place finish in 25:01.14, followed by Quincey Jensen in 52nd at 27:45.73, and Janie Mitchell in 58th with 29:33.11.

Arlee’s Kaidance Pierre posted a personal-record 25:43.03 for 44th, just ahead of teammate Justine Shelby, who was 48th in 25:59.83. Izabella Knoll rounded out the Scarlets’ lineup in 55th with 28:35.74.

For Two Eagle River, Luree Shotgun ran 26:52.46 to place 15th among JV runners, while Emma Spotted Eagle finished 18th JV with a PR of 27:17.44. Keke Tenas placed 25th JV in 29:06.34.

Ronan Boys Take Third; Polson Fourth

The Ronan Chiefs claimed third place overall with 133 points, led by a strong front pack. Senior Jhett McDonald finished 13th in 18:00.12, while fellow senior Will Normandeau followed in 14th at 18:15.44. Freshman Matiya Nenemay impressed with a 16th-place finish in 18:18.32.

Benjamin RunningRabbit was 39th in 19:32.71, and Payton McElderry rounded out the scoring five in 51st with 20:06.94.

Polson finished fourth with 144 points, paced by junior David DiGiallonardo, who continued his standout season with a third-place finish in 16:39.93. Wyatt Boogerd placed 21st in 18:47.92, Tayshawn Edmo was 24th in 18:54.11, and Christopher Sopke placed 27th with 19:09.02. Sheamis Cobb capped the team scoring in 73rd with a personal-best 21:06.29.

Arlee finished 11th overall, led by Trevor VanMaanen, who placed 18th in 18:34.48. Aarinnario NorthPeigan finished 44th in 19:40.31, William Fisher IV took 52nd at 20:07.30, and Jason Wright placed 67th in 20:41.55.

Two Eagle River landed in 13th, with Jason Trahan running a personal-best 19:29.75 for 37th, followed by Dreyden Hendrickx (46th, 19:47.91) and Anthony Sheridan (53rd, 20:11.04).

For Mission, Jason Leishman was the top Bulldog finisher in 58th with a time of 20:16.35, followed by Isaac Morigeau (79th, 21:38.95) and Jake Helser (85th, 22:47.14). 

    Arlee Warrior Xander Zahir takes 91st place at the Mission Shadow Duels in Pablo on Oct. 11. (Emily Messer/Leader)
  

    Mission Bulldog senior Jake Helser takes 85th place at the Mission Shadow Duels in Pablo on Oct. 11. (Emily Messer/Leader)
  

    Polson Pirate third place boys runner was David DiGiallonardo at the Mission Shadow Duels in Pablo on Oct. 11. (Bob Gunderson Photo)
  

    The first team of girl runners at the Mission Shadows Duals includes, Taryn Cochran, Brittian Davis, Elsie Detert, Koko Scott, Reese Adams, Morgan Delaney, Quinn Delaney. (Bob Gunderson Photo)
  

    Koko Scott takes 4th place in the Mission Shadow Duels in Pablo on Oct. 11. (Emily Messer/Leader)
  

    Elsie Detert takes 29th place in the Mission Shadow Duels at the Silver Fox Golf Course on Oct. 11. (Emily Messer/Leader)