Carlson wins again
Kayla Carlson runs out front during the junior varsity race at the Flathead Invitational. Carlson won the race by more than a minute. Mike Richeson/Bigfork Eagle
By MIKE RICHESON
Bigfork Eagle
Kayla Carlson may be new to cross country, but she knows how to run. After winning her first junior varsity race in Libby last week, she also placed first at the Flathead Invitational in Kalispell on Saturday.
Carlson crossed the wire in 20:13, a full minute faster than her nearest competitor. Her time would have put her in the top 10 on the varsity side. Her time was also 36 seconds faster than the Libby race, which is more impressive considering that the Kalispell course is harder.
"They have to run three pretty rough hills on the Kalispell course," coach Sue Loeffler said.
Carlson, a sophomore, will start running varsity at some point this season.
"She ran the 800 in track last year, and I knew she had the talent. I just had to convince her to come out," Loeffler said.
Halfway through the first lap, Carlson found herself all alone between a couple of runners ahead of her and the entire pack behind her. By the second lap, she was alone again - but this time as the front-runner.
Shelby Deaton also competed and finished in 25:48.
The Valkyries runners are depleted right now due to two cases of strep throat and because of sophomore standout Taylor Schiltz' continue breathing problems.
On the boys side, Phil Sandry ran the varsity race and finished the three-mile course in 18:59, good for 60th place.
Bridger Mahlum and Evan Jordt pushed each other hard during the junior varsity race. Mahlum finished in 19:07, just one second ahead of Jordt. The two runners placed 12th and 13th, respectively.
"They were really battling it out at the finish line," Loeffler said.
Spencer Jenko also improved on his Libby time by finishing in 20:40. The other boys who finished included Kyle Hauns, 22:49; Keenan Evans, who was running his first race, 23:12; Alex Kirby, 23:21; and Chris Driver, 24:57.
"They are all running well, and they keep improving," Loeffler said.
The team also took junior high student Seth Roessman, who competed in the 1.5-mile race. Roessman finished in 11:53.