Ronan boys win Butte Central Invite
By BRANDON HANSEN For the Leader | Lake County Leader | UPDATED 11 months AGO
The Ronan cross country teams put together one of their strongest collective showings of the young season Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Butte Central Invite. The Chiefs captured the boys’ team title behind a deep, balanced lineup, while the Maidens placed second in the girls’ standings.
Ronan senior Devon BigMedicine led the way for the Chiefs, charging to second place overall in 18 minutes, 28.10 seconds. He was followed closely by fellow senior Jhett McDonald, who took third in 18:44.10.
Ronan’s depth secured the team crown, with four more runners finishing inside the top 15. Junior Will Normandeau placed eighth (19:27.50), junior Matiya Nenemay was ninth (19:29.10), and senior Tobias Wilson crossed in 11th (19:48.00). Sophomore Payton McElderry added a 14th-place finish (20:37.20) to round out the scoring five.
The strong pack effort allowed the Chiefs to finish comfortably ahead of host Frenchtown and Park High, who each had standout individuals but couldn’t match Ronan’s consistency through the lineup.
On the girls’ side, Frenchtown’s veterans set the early pace, but Ronan’s seniors ensured the Maidens kept things competitive. Annie Adams clocked 23:38.50 to take sixth overall, with teammate Gracie Heiner just behind in seventh at 23:58.60.
Ronan packed four runners inside the top 15: senior Bailee Woll took 11th (24:41.40), sophomore Hayden Dusty Bull was 12th (24:48.30), and senior Maddie Duffey came through 14th in 25:20.40. Senior DeeDee Ellsworth (18th, 27:21.40) and sophomore Alexa Youngren (19th, 28:18.80) rounded out the lineup.