Cross country keeps it fun, keeps it loose, keeps winning

The Columbia Falls cross country teams should be solid again this season.

The girls are led by Ally Sempf, Marissa Schaeffer, Mya Badger and coach Jim Peacock also hopes to see good things from Ashley Andrews, a sophomore who had a great summer in training.

The squad should also see solid performances from Lexi Oberholtzer and senior Ruby Davis as well as freshman Cora Hannah.

Sempf was an excellent short-distance runner in track last season and was part of a record-breaking 4-by -100 relay team that won the regional race in their age group and went on to compete in nationals this summer.

The goal will be to translate that success into a 5K race in her final year of high school.

Last season all three finished in the top 15 at the divisional meet and the top 20 at the state meet, so there’s plenty of potential there.

The boys have a lot of depth this season, led by the likes of senior all-stater Logan Peterson, his younger brother Lucas, senior Quinn Clark, Oliver Kress, Brock Swope, Alex Branstetter and David Slama.

All of those runners will be in the mix not only for a varsity spot, but to make their mark in the post season.

“Our advantage is depth,” noted Peacock.

The squads will get a chance to run the state course twice this year, as they’ll compete at the Flathead Invitational Sept. 8 at Rebecca Farm and then the state meet is at Rebecca Farm again Oct. 21.

Overall the program has good numbers, with about 45 runners.

Peacock is assisted this season by Kati Knutson and Colleen Finberg, both of whom were former athletes for Columbia Falls as well as longtime coaches.