Cross country does well in Libby

The Columbia Falls cross country teams had a good showing at the Libby Invitational to open the season Friday. The boys took fifth and the girls took third, in a meet that drew stiff competition from Coeur D’Alene, Idaho as well as Flathead.

Top runner for the girls was Ashley Andrews, who took seventh with a 21.12. Marissa Schaeffer was 12th with a 21:44 and freshman Cora Hannan was 14th with a 21:57.

“The kids had a great opening meet.  We had a few kids that didn’t have enough practices to compete, and that left us a little short-handed, but it opened up opportunities for a couple other kids to get a taste of varsity competition.  They made the most of it and everyone ran well,” coach Jim Peacock said.

Mya Badger was 17th with a 22:36 and Ruby Davis rounded out the scoring with a 24:38. Lucas Peterson was the top runner for the boys, taking 17th with a 17:36. His older brother Logan was 25th with a 17:49. Quinn Clark was 30th with a 18:22 and Eric Miner was 35th with a 18:52. Rounding out the top five was David Slama, 44th with a 19:16.Peacock said they were missing four varsity boys runners — two from injury and two without enough practices.

“The Libby course was running firm and fast, and our times were pretty darn good for a first race.  It is going to be fun to watch how we match up with other teams in the next few weeks to get a better feel on where we stack up in the state picture,” he said.  

Coeur D’Alene won the boys meet. Flathead the girls. The girls were just 3 points shy from tying Coeur D’Alene.The team now travels to Cut Bank Friday and then Rebecca Farm on SEpt. 8. Peacock said the field will be very competitive in Kalispell, with all but one AA school competing, as this is also the course for the state meet later this year.