Mission Valley runners shine at Mountain West Classic
By BRANDON HANSEN For the Leader | Lake County Leader | UPDATED 10 months, 3 weeks AGO
Polson's Morgan Delaney placed fifth overall at the Mountain West cross-country meet in Missoula, where local runners competed against more than 100 teams from across Montana. (Christa Umphrey photo)
Devon BigMedicine was Ronan's top finisher at the Mountain West meet in Missoula. (Christa Umphrey photo)
Gracie Heiner was Ronan's top girls' finisher at the Mountain West meet in Missoula. (Christa Umphrey photo)
Against one of the deepest fields of the season, Mission Valley runners proved they belong among Montana’s best at the Mountain West Classic, held Saturday at the University of Montana Golf Course. The meet drew more than 100 teams from across the region, including powerhouse programs from Class AA to Class B.
The Polson girls team stood out with a strong showing, finishing 17th overall among Class A programs. Senior Morgan Delaney crossed the line in 18:47.95 for 5th place in Class A and was the top Mission Valley finisher. Her sister, Quinn Delaney, continued her rise with a 19:32.14 PR for 18th, while freshman Koko Scott grabbed 82nd in 20:53.27.
Rounding out the scoring, Taryn Cochran placed 226th (22:40.44 PR), Brittian Davis was 340th (24:15.79), and Reese Adams took 347th (24:18.93). Polson’s team score of 626 edged Hardin and Columbia Falls in the standings.
Ronan placed 62nd, led by Gracie Heiner, 352nd (24:22.71). Teammates Annie Adams (363rd, 24:34.71), Hayden DustyBull (365th, 24:36.58), and Bailee Woll (403rd, 25:31.91) packed tightly together.
For Mission, sophomore Raileigh McDonald set a PR of 23:21.16 for 276th, while Brooklyn Leishman was 337th (24:12.08). Arlee’s Kaidance Pierre ran 26:57.94 for 440th, and teammate Izabella Knoll followed in 443rd (27:11.77 PR).
The Polson boys were paced by senior David DiGiallonardo, who clocked 15:57.42 for 14th in Class A, one of only 16 runners in the meet to dip under 16 minutes. Wyatt Boogerd was next across in 248th (18:36.18), followed by Christopher Sopke, 401st (19:58.06), Tayshawn Edmo, 411th (20:03.95), and Sheamis Cobb, 532nd (22:06.34 PR). The Pirates finished 51st overall in the team standings.
Ronan’s boys came in 47th, led by junior Devon BigMedicine, who ran a personal-best 17:32.44 for 130th place. Will Normandeau finished 238th (18:32.32), Matiya Nenemay was 329th (19:18.55), and Jhett McDonald followed in 335th (19:23.32).
Mission’s boys were led by Jason Leishman, 466th (20:51.32), while Arlee’s Trevor VanMaanen paced the Warriors in 408th (20:01.73).
Devon BigMedicine was Ronan's top finisher at the Mountain West meet in Missoula. (Christa Umphrey photo)
Gracie Heiner was Ronan's top girls' finisher at the Mountain West meet in Missoula. (Christa Umphrey photo)