Kats top class A team at Rebecca Farm
Hungry Horse News | Hungry Horse News | UPDATED 11 months, 1 week AGO
River Blazejewski turns the corner on his first lap during the Flathead XC Invitational held at Rebecca Farm. Seth Anderson Photography.
The Columbia Falls cross country team took on hot weather and tall grass last Friday at the Flathead Invitational in Rebecca Farms, Kalispell.
“With the given conditions, it was not an easy day for personal bests. But they made it a PR day,” coach Jim Peacock said.
The course starts with a flat half mile straightaway, sending the runners out into no man’s land. It then loops back around to begin a slow but steady ascent at the mile marker. Racers then round the drumlin where the crowd eagerly awaits, cheering on runners as they crest the hill. Rebecca Farms is a two lap course, but the racers do get the privilege of a downhill finish chute.
Rebecca Farm attracts some of the biggest competition in the state, barring meets such as the Mountain West Classic in Missoula. Nine AA schools were present, along with 12 class A schools and class B and C.
“One of the things I liked as a coach was that we got the opportunity to compete against that many AA schools, and almost half of the A schools. This made for bigger races with more competition, and our teams responded extremely well,” Peacock said.
The boys took second in Class A with 265 points, outplayed by Corvallis by 36 points. River Blazejewski led the varsity boys with a time of 16:46, almost tying his time from last year’s meet. Mason Colliander followed in close succession, with a time of 17:29. Aiyers Powell ran a seven second PR, in hot pursuit of Colliander with a time of 17:29.5.
The girls took first in Class A, besting Corvallis by 15 points with a final score of 270. Findley Dezzani once again led the varsity girl’s charge with a time of 21:10. Ashley Andrews ran a 21:18, and Hazel Alexander ran a PR of 21:26.
“I’m really stoked to see Hazel progress, she continues to close that gap between her and her senior teammates,” Peacock said. Freshman Noelle Svennungsen also ran “a darn good race,” he noted, with a 22.11.
The Harriers will travel to East Glacier Park Saturday to catch some fall foliage at the Browning Invitational. Races begin at 1 p.m.