Herd of Turtles compete at Libby Invitational

The Columbia Falls “Herd of Turtles” cross country team came out of their shells and hit the ground running at the Libby Invitational this past Friday.  

Despite fielding a relatively young group of runners on both varsity teams, the Herd achieved a commendable finish in their first season appearance.  The boys varsity team secured an eighth place spot out of 14 teams, while the girls varsity team narrowly missed eighth place themselves falling just two points shy behind Lakeland, Idaho.

“A huge percentage of the state’s teams traveled to Billings to race at the Billings Invitational at Amend Park.  This is the course that will host the State Championships, and this meet gave teams an opportunity to preview the course.  Since a trip to Billings is outside of our ability to do a day trip XC meet, we stayed close to home with our usual season opener in Libby, and the competition there was exceptional,” said head coach Jim Peacock.

“Coming into the meet, all I really wanted to see from the team was that they gave quality individual efforts, competed hard, and that they supported each other.  I felt like we checked all those boxes, and that if we can continue to do that throughout the season, we’re going to improve substantially throughout the next eight weeks before the State Championships.  As a team, we have a little ways to go to move up in the scoring, but what I saw Friday was really promising that this group will accomplish this.”

Peacock was pleased with the effort.

 “Seventy percent of the team ran PR’s, which is outstanding.  Our new runners have improved a ton in just two weeks of training, and our younger runners that are returning from last year are much stronger than they were a year ago.”

Noelle Svennungenson, a sophomore, led the girls with a personal record time.  She was 17th overall.  

“She established a good position in the first mile and then ran competitively through the middle mile.  She looked calm throughout the race and showed a lot of composure,” Peacock said. “Gwen Watkins, also a sophomore, ran her first meet ever.  She used her older teammates, Chloe Williams and Hazel Alexander, to help pace the first half of the race, and then she was confident enough to take off and pull ahead of her experienced teammates.  I’m excited to see what she continues to do this season.

Alexander also ran an impressive race.

“Alexander was medically cleared to run a few weeks before the season started.  She’s been steadily building her mileage and strength ever since.  Last week, we ran a time trial, and I had her hold back her effort.  I wanted to see her pushing her boundaries a little but was trying to err on the side of being cautious.  

“After that day, her mother told me to let go of the reins and just let her fly.  Hazel showed just how tough she is and ran incredibly.  In the spring, she had to learn to walk again.  Friday, she was racing a 5K and competing at a high level. 

 “It was better than winning a State Championship to see her race and cross the finish line on Friday.  There were a lot of wet eyes after the race.  It was emotional and wonderful.  Watching her journey helps put things in perspective and shifts some priorities.”

The boys also had a good race.

“Sophomore Connor Jordan has put in more mileage and work since last season than anyone on the team and it shows.  He ran a personal best time of 17:20 and placed 33rd overall.  

“That has him among the top fifteen Class A times for the opening weekend of cross country.  He showed how much he loves competition while he was racing Friday.  He was flashing smiles and trying to gun people down throughout the race.

Senior Brayden Swope and junior Gabe Coburn were the next two finishers for Columbia Falls.  Both of whom, like Connor, did a great job with summer training, and showed that it really pays off.  

“Both ran personal best times, and Gabe’s was almost a personal best by a full minute.  They both looked comfortable and confident,” Peacock said.

The Herd will be competing at Rebecca Farms this upcoming Friday in the Flathead Invitational.   

“This is as close as we get to a home meet, and it’s a great opportunity to come cheer on these hardworking athletes,” Peacock said.

Varsity races start at 11 a.m.