Ronan tops at cross country Invite

RONAN — Ronan boys and girls cross country trekked across their own backyard last week and came out on top with both teams besting all other comers by wide margins behind great performances from Michael Fisher and Terinee McCready at the Silver Fox golf course in Pablo.

Michael Fisher took first overall for the first time this year with a time of 16:04. Fisher was up against some stiff competition and ran nearly the same as he did at the Kalispell invite, Decker said.

Andrew Graham finished third with 16:59 while Buddy Cheff trailed behind placing ninth with 17:21. Cameron Barber is a welcome addition to the team, and is also playing football, as well. He joined just recently and came in 14th with 18:07 — not bad for his very first race, Decker said.

"He ran a very respectable time. He really helped us in that fifth spot" — a spot Decker has been trying to fill since the beginning of the season. He believes Barber just might fill the bill.

Erick Stedje landed in the 15 spot with 18:08 and Levi Maughan came in 44th with 20:17 to round out Ronan's top five.

As for the girls, Terinee McCready came in second overall with 19:23. Kaneesha Benson came in fourth with 20:26 with Sadie McMillan right behind taking fifth with 20:32. Briana Malmquist tightened up the team with 21:06 to earn sixth. Kelsey Salomon took a minute off her previous time to come in eighth with 21:28.

"We put our first five varsity girls in the top 10," Decker said. "We were able to pull our varsity girls closer in the pack."

Decker added that the best part of this meet was that it was sort of a preview of what the conference championship will be like.

Next, Ronan heads to the Missoula Mountain West Invitational Saturday at 9:30 a.m. where they will face Polson and a host of other teams from around Western Montana.

Team Results

Boys

Ronan 42, Polson 88, Columbia Falls, 96, Hamilton 100, Darby 141, Libby 170, Arlee 208

Girls

Ronan 25, Polson 51, Thompson Falls 92, Columbia Falls 122, Hamilton 126