Ronan runners ready for championship

BROWNING — Ronan boys and girls cross country opted to go to Browning last weekend instead of participating in the Polson Invite to give them a close-up look at two teams that they'll need to beat in a couple of weeks at state — the Browning boys and Havre girls.

Ronan girls finished in first place with 36 points beating Havre by 11. Top placers include Terinee McCready who finished first with 19:30. Sadie McMillian came in sixth overall with 20:52 but filled the two spot for her team. Kaneesha Benson, Briana Malmquist, Christa Salomon and Kelsey Salomon rounded out the top six.

"Our girls ran very well against Havre, especially our four through six girls, Briana Malmquist, Christa and Kelsey Salomon. Christa has been improving steadily each week and I think she is going to run very well these last two weeks of the season," said head coach Gale Decker.

The boys were neck and neck with Browning but Browning pulled ahead. Ronan lost by two points.

"Our boys ran nip-and-tuck with Browning the whole race and it really wasn't decided until the final quarter mile," Decker explained.

Michael Fisher came in first with 16:35. Andrew Graham ran 17:28, good enough for fifth. Erick Stedje, Cameron Barber and Buddy Cheff all came in below the 20 minute barrier to fill three, four and five spots.

"Erick Stedje had probably his best race of the year and Cameron Barber ran very well in our fourth spot," he said.

Saturday, the conference championships are at Silver Fox Golf Course in Pablo with boys running at 1 p.m. and girls at 1:45.

Results

Girls

Ronan 36, Havre 47

Terinee McCready 1st, 19:30; Sadie McMillan 6th, 20:52; Kaneesha Benson 7th 20:57; Briana Malmquist 10th 21:39; Christa Salomon 12th, 21:51; Kelsey Salomon 17th 22:16.

Boys

Browning 40, Ronan 42

Michael Fisher 1st 16:35; Andrew Graham 5th 17:28; Erick Stedje 7th 17:32; Cameron Barber 11th 17:42; Buddy Cheff 18th 18:10.