Cross country teams tops in Class A at Libby
Hungry Horse News | Hungry Horse News | UPDATED 11 months, 2 weeks AGO
Ashley Andrews and Findley Dezzani ran neck and neck throughout the race. (River Blazejewski photo)
The Columbia Falls “Herd of Turtles” cross country squad had a strong showing to begin their season last Friday in Libby.
Both the boys and girls teams took first place for Class A. The boys team took first place with 140 points. The girls took first with 142 points.
The course at Libby isn’t easy. However, it’s known for being a fast course. It begins with an uphill start, ends with a slight downhill finish, and is notorious for its hill racers must face with 800 meters (or two laps on a standard track) left to go.
Senior River Blazejewski came in first for the boys varsity, running a personal best time of 16:22 and eighth overall.
“It was an experienced senior performance, laced with confidence. He knew what he wanted to accomplish, and he ran the race from start to finish with that goal in mind,” coach Jim Peacock said.
Mason Colliander also ran a personal best, with a time of 17:21, trailed by Aiyers Powell who tied his personal best of 17:36.
“I was pleasantly surprised by Mason’s PR. It was his first race of the season, he was at the front end of the race for the entire race and he led the varsity boy’s charge–the rest of the pack keyed off him,” Peacock said.
On the girls side, seniors Findley Dezzani and Ashley Andrews ran neck and neck, assisting each other throughout the 5k race. Dezzani ran a time of 21:03, followed by Andrew’s 21:04.
Trailing just behind Andrews with an impressive 27 second PR, Junior Hazel Alexander ran a 21:38.
“I’m impressed with Hazel’s growth curve–last year, she was a state alternate, and she’s moved up to running right behind Ashley and Findley. Which is very good for the girl’s team going into this season,” Peacock said. “We’re a very good team, in a similar position that we’ve been in for the past 10 years at this time. I see no reason to think that we aren’t in conversation with the top five teams in the state, for both boys and girls. Overall, it was a great first meet.”
The boys JV also put up an impressive showing, winning amongst class A schools.
The Herd will be competing at Rebecca Farms in Kalispell Friday. Varsity boys race at 11 a.m., followed by varsity girls, JV girls, JV boys, and finally the Columbia Falls and various other middle school teams.