Ronan Cross-Country off to good start

Zach Urness

Leader Staff

LIBBY — The defending Class A state champion Ronan girls cross-country team only lost one athlete to graduation, and if last week's Invitational is an indication, they may be primed for another run.

"It looks like the two best Class A teams in the state are going to be Whitefish and Ronan," said Ronan head coach Gale Decker, noting that Whitefish took first place at this week's Invitational.

"We both beat the AA schools which is always nice, and while they're a little ahead of us now, I think we'll be banging heads with them all season."

The girls team was the most impressive in Libby last weekend, taking second place among nine teams with 75 points.

The Maidens were led by Terinee McCready who took home a second place finish (19:33.66) and was followed closely by third place finishing Sadie McMillian (19:40.56).

Both girls also starred on the track and field team last year.

"Terinee and Sadie both finished under 20 minutes so that was good to see," commented Decker.

Kaneesha Benson and Ali Anderson also finished back-to-back, with Benson coming in at 21:45.91 and Anderson following her into the finish line at 21:50.53.

Taylor Linse also had a good run and finished with a time of 22:11.

The boys team also did well in Libby, taking seventh place with a score of 213.

"I was real pleased with the boys' times," said Decker. "After Whitefish I think the conference is going to be wide open."

Danny Beavers led the way for the Chiefs, putting up a time of 18:14. He was followed by Levi Maughan (18:44), and freshmen Justin Dusty Bull (19:23), Ryan Hardy (20:13) and Justin Grandon (20:17).

Decker also noted that freshman Kevin Wyreblewski wasn't able to attend this meet, but will be with team, hopefully, for the next meet and is expected to put up some very good times.

"He's been running number two in the workouts and I think it hurt us a little not having him there," commented Decker. "When we get everybody running together I think we'll be a pretty strong team by the end of the season."

Decker said that he expects Beavers to be a top runner on the team and that he was happy with his performance last weekend.

"Danny ran a very good time for this early in the year," he said.