Boys cross country gets win in Browning

The Herd of Turtles, equipped with their running shoes, set out on another road trip, embarking over Marias Pass to participate in the Piikunii Pass Invite in Browning on Saturday.

“It’s a tough course.  The only level ground is on the first 100 meters and last 300 meters.  The first ¼ mile climbs about 100 feet and then you lose everything you gain and turn around and gain it all right back.  This is all in the first half of the race.  About the time you’re really starting to feel worked over, the course runs you downhill for a full mile, so the pace picks up quite a bit.  Finally, you have to climb for about a half a mile to the finish.  It’s a challenge,” said head coach Jim Peacock of the cross country meet.

The varsity girls secured third with a total of 76 points, trailing behind the highly ranked Polson and Whitefish teams. Tessa Pacheco emerged as the standout performer, clocking in at an impressive 22.39.13. Close behind was first-year runner Gwen Watkins, who finished with a time of 22.54.05.

Varsity boys secured first place with a commanding lead of 43 points over Browning, who finished with 58 points. Connor Jordan maintained his position as the top performer for the third consecutive week, clocking in at a notable 17.56.27. Eamon Schule closely followed at 18.03.63. 

“Noelle Svennungsen was home sick as was Brayden Swope.  That left both varsity teams a little depleted, but the kids competed well really well, at all levels, JV and varsity.  The level of competitiveness and effort was outstanding for the day.  It was nice this week to race without the AA schools.  I really enjoy the competition and depth they add to our meets, but it’s also enjoyable to have a few meets that are a little smaller where we can better feel out the Class A competition.  Our varsity girls had another week of growth, and our younger girls looked confident. 

“The whole varsity team packed up without Noelle.  Tessa led that pack throughout, and the other varsity girls were all working off each other right behind her.  I was particularly excited that Brooke Thompson, a freshman, took on the challenge to run with her older teammates, and I believe she gained the confidence to know that she can do this in the future,” said Peacock.

Peacock was pleased with the boys’ effort.

 “The boys varsity packed up a little better this week, too.  Up front, Schule and Jordan stuck with the race leaders.  Eamon was pushing pace early for everyone.  Connor was running patiently and made good moves at strategic points in the course.  The two of them worked well off of each other.  Behind them, Keian Moran, Gabe Coburn and Boden Dezzani were all within spitting distance of one another and raced well.  They kept the split from our first to fifth finisher low, and that really boosts the scoring,” Peacock noted.

JV did well, too.

“Jay Carlin got an individual win in the JV race.  He and Levi Ypma both ran in the lead pack throughout the race, and Jay made a great move in the last quarter mile to set up a 200 meter kick for the win.  Levi wasn’t far back and is running really well.  They are both adding some depth to the team.”

“Browning is a really small meet, but next week is the polar opposite.  Saturday is the Mountain West in Missoula.  It draws most of Montana’s teams and handful from Idaho and Washington.  Last year the girls’ varsity race had 500 kids and the boys’ varsity had about 600 runners it’s a fun event,” said Peacock.  Race time kicks off at 9:30 a.m.

Also racing this week was the junior high, where they’d host their own meet at the Montana Veterans’ Home campus on Friday afternoon.

Looking good with impressive times were Sean Wehrmann with 12:00:87 and Adelyn Danley with 12:47:94.   They will also be in Missoula this weekend.