Starkey takes third at state
Polson sophomore Mesa Starkey smiles on the medal stand after taking third place at the cross country state meet in Missoula. Photo by Jennifer McBride
Jenna Cederberg, Leader Staff
MISSOULA — Mesa Starkey crossed the finish line in 19 minutes and five seconds for the third place finish at the state championships this past weekend.
The sophomore Pirate runner was the top area finisher at last weekend's final cross country meet, beating out 133 other runners for the bronze medal.
It was another impressive finish for the young runner, who took second at last year's state meet. Starkey's run helped the girls take ninth (255) as a team. The boys, led by junior Miles Bieber (41st, 17:38), took 11th with a 299.
Drew Coco (15:26) of Whitefish took first place in the boys Class-A race. Brooke Rogers (18:45) of Lewistown took the girls crown.
Polson head coach Matt Seeley called the boys team's performance "strong," noting that all returning runners improved on last year's times.
He also said that improving with each race was one of the keys to Starkey's success.
"This year, she proved that she deserves a spot among Montana's elite with another trip to the podium," Seeley said in an e-mail after the races. "Mesa's consistency is remarkable, especially considering the fluctuation among the other top girls. She worked hard all year, improved in every race, and really came through under the pressure at state."
Polson freshman Maddie Hewston was the second fastest Pirate on the girls side, taking 38th with a time of 21:10. Pirate Mariah Swan (21:33) came in 55th, just 23 seconds after Hewston.
"Maddie impressed her coaches yet again as the 5th fastest freshman in the race and Mariah Swan gave everything she had to finish her Polson career with another sub-22 clocking," Seeley said.
Both Laura Barta and Erika Nunlist also significantly improved their times, Seeley said. Barta was 78th with a 22:15 and Nunlist was 81st with a 22:22.
Mary Wiedrich (98th, 22:50) and Dani Howlett (129th, 25:21) rounded out the Polson runners.
The boys had six of seven runner finish in the top 100. All of the team's seven runners finished with times under 20 minutes. Junior Colter Bull also finished with a 17:38, just behind Bieber for a 42nd place finish.
"Miles was a consistent performer all year and leading the team at state in his first year of cross country is quite an achievement. Colter Bull was hoping to finish higher, but will go into the off-season with strong motivation to train and move right to the top next year," Seeley said.
Seniors Sam Boyle (68th, 18:28) and Kyle Van Atta (69th, 18:28) finished next for Polson, in another "duo" of Pirates that helped the team finish with the improved times, Seeley said.
"Sam ran another excellent race to cap off a stellar four-year career at Polson. Kyle ran one of his best times to bookend his one and only season with the team," Seeley said.
Sophomore Nick Andrews finished 79th with a time of 18:46, with his tandem partner, junior Scott Taylor, who finished 80th also with a 18:46.
Jacob Young was 111th for the Pirates with a time of 19:57.
The boys races against 134 runners from 18 teams. The Whitefish girls (43) took the first place team trophy. Hamilton took the boys top prize, with a team score of 77.
Girls (136 runners, 19 full teams):
3 - Mesa Starkey, 19:05
38 - Maddie Hewston, 21:10
55 - Mariah Swan, 21:33
78 - Laura Barta, 22:15
81 - Erika Nunlist, 22:22
98 - Mary Wiedrich, 22:50
129 - Dani Howlett, 25:21
Boys (134 runners, 18 full teams):
41 - Miles Bieber, 17:38
42 - Colter Bull, 17:38
68 - Sam Boyle, 18:28
69 - Kyle Van Atta, 18:28
79 - Nick Andrews, 18:46
80 - Scott Taylor, 18:46
111 - Jacob Young, 19:57