Smoke cancels football game, but runners still run

Smoke from area wildfires put the Wildcat football season on hold. The Cats were supposed to play Corvallis away Friday night, but that game was postponed until Saturday night.

But Saturday's skies were just as bad and the game was scrapped entirely and will not be rescheduled, athletic director Troy Bowman said.

The cross-country meet in Libby Saturday was also canceled due to smoke, but the Cats had an impromptu inter squad meet at River's Edge Park.

The 4k race was won by Raina Crowell, who clocked a 20:14, coach Richard Menicke said.

"She's hands down our No. 1 girl runner," he said. Crowell was followed by Hayley Peacock, Raychel Hoerner and Lacey Johns. Genevieve DeLorme, who is also expected to be one of the team's better runners, was out of town.

On the boys's side, Winfield West paced the squad with a 17:58. He was followed by Gabe Knudsen, and Will Nelson, both a second apiece behind West.

Bryce and Brendan Bennett and Tanner Hoerner all raced well, Menicke said.

The team travels to Cut Bank on Friday.

"It's a tough course," Menicke said.

The football team is scheduled to play Stevensville Friday night, if the air quality is good enough.