X-country runs well in Helena

Gabe Knudsen took 13th to lead the Columbia Falls boys cross-country team at the 7 on 7 meet in Helena Saturday.

The senior clocked a 17:10.44 in the first race to take 13th place.

Teammate Joe Lamb took 26th place with a 18:24.09 in the second race and James Role was 19th in the third race with a time of 18:09.84.

On the girls’ side, top finisher was freshman Lara Erickson with a 26th-place finish in the first race and a time of 21:51.03. In the second race, Genevieve DeLorme was 23rd with a time of 22:38.29. Raina Crowell took 22nd in the third race with a 22:28.79.

The race has a unique format. There are seven separate races, where the No.1 runners from each team race head-to -head. The number two’s do the same, and so on, through the seventh varsity runner.

Both teams were pitted against much larger AA schools.

The race also gave the squad a look at the course, which will be the host of the state A meet later this month.

The team travels to the King Ranch in Frenchtown Saturday for the Western A Classic. Races start at 2 p.m.

It looks to a be a special meet for Kimberly Peacock. The teen, who is battling cancer, will try to walk the junior varsity course, said her father, and coach, Jim Peacock.

“She will not be running, rather seeing if she can walk the distance,” he said. “That will be the longest and most strenuous physical activity she’s attempted in months. If she is not feeling well enough on race day, then she’ll attempt a shorter leg of the race, and we’ll be just as thrilled about that.”

Peacock said the team’s focus is on state and bringing home some hardware.

“The boys are in contention for bringing home hardware. If they can meet their goals, it will be a sweet day,” Peacock said.