Valley runners hope to shine at state in Helena

The Polson Pirates and Lady Pirates cross country team will enter the Class A cross country meet Saturday in Helena with high aspirations.

The Lady Pirates’ cross country team is relatively healthy as they head into the final meet of the Class A season.

“I think we are feeling pretty strong and what we are realizing is the competition is going to be pretty fierce,” Pirates, Lady Pirates cross country coach Matt Seeley said. “I was impressed by the two teams that beat us. We were favorites at the conference and Whitefish and Corvallis are always strong. They came in second and it was quite a performance for our girls. Probably the best team in the state is the Harding girls. We are really strong to be in the top three that will challenge our team.”

Two of Polson’s top girl runners Bea Frissell and Naima Crowl will challenge some of the top runners in the country.

“It’s going to be a battle next week and certainly one of the top-four teams are all really strong and looking forward to it,” Seeley said. “It’s going to be really tough and they’ve had some good races. Bea had quite a battle. The three girls didn’t move away and took the lead until the last 200-meters. It was a tough race and I look forward to a real challenge. Hopefully, we can win the title next weekend.”

One of the challenges the team will face is finding a delicate balance between running as a team and running for individual accolades. Seeley said as long as each runner is focused on reaching his or her best times, that will benefit the team.

“Sometimes the team does their very best and they unselfishly work together with their teammates,” Seeley said. “Their teammates have to run with you but sometimes, you might put a second emphasis on the individual. There is something to be said for balance. They finished in the top 15 with all-state honors and rallied for the top three teams. It was an honor for some of the girls like Bea who have been racing well all year. Some other girls can finish fourth, fifth and six more for the team and pass every person. They do better for those results. It’s good with running for your team and a better individual race. Sometimes, those two things work together in some ways.”

Crowl and Molly Sitter are two other Polson Lady Pirates looking to medal in this competitive field.

Seeley has made it clear Crowl has a lot a lot of talent.

“On most teams, she would be the fastest runner on her team,” Seeley said. “She is on a girls team right now that really pushes each other in practice and Bea knows she can’t slack off because she will be right there pushing her.”

One aspect that helps Crowl elevate her performance is consistency in her meets, Seeley said.

“Crowl has been running strong, consistent and great races,” Seeley said. “She was able to finish fifth yesterday in the conference meet and could finish in the top 6 or top 7 in the state. Crowl has had some tough years in cross country and really turned it around to become one of the top girls team in the state. If some of the faster runners fall apart, she’ll be right there to move up. I wouldn’t be surprised if she finished in the top five.”

Last year, Sitter came within one place of earning a medal. Sitter placed 16th and this year she is looking to medal.

“Her goal this season is to be in the top 10 in the state and hopefully, is running well enough,” Seeley said. “She hasn’t had a really satisfying race and she is motivated to run really well.”

Stewart hopes to shine in Helena

All season, Seeley has praised his new and improved Pirates cross country team.

This season Seeley is looking for an elevated performance from Quin Stewart.

“Last year, Quin Stewart had a shot to get to all-state and didn’t quite get there,” Seeley said. “He had his best race yesterday and hopes to peak in Helena. He hopes to run better in Helena.”

Seeley said he was also excited about the talents of Landon Shipley and unfortunately, because of an injury, he will not be able to participate in the event.

“The Pirates have their moments,” Seeley said. “We have a lot of young guys doing well and that ran pretty strong for us in conference. Hopefully, we can really build for the future.”

Seeley said the best formula for his team to be successful at state is stick to the plan that has worked for them all season.

“With all the work that they’ve done going out there with their teammates, I have to remind them to not try to go out and have an amazing race but to stick to what they know and stick to the plan that has worked for them all year,” Seeley said. “I don’t think I have to give any motivational speeches for my team headed to state. They just have to stay calm and stick to what has worked well for them.”

Lady Bulldogs, Bulldogs prepare for state

In the last couple of races the Mission Bulldogs, Lady Bulldogs have significantly imrpoved. Isaiah Nasewytewa ran 18 minutes, 56 seconds, placing 15th. The top-10 is All Conference.

“It was a great race for him,” Bulldogs, Lady Bulldogs’ coach Chris Eichert said. “ He has improved every meet that he has run.”

Troy Matt ran a time of 19 minutes, 56 seconds, placing 23rd.

Connor Burke ran 23 minutes, 47 seconds. This is a PR for this course for him.

Connor ran very strong and continues to improve as a freshamn,” Eichert said.

Two Lady Bulldogs ran strong in divisionals

Karolyna Buck ran 23 minutes, 7 seconds and placed tenth. Buck made all-conference for Class B.

Yvonne Baty ran 25 minutes, 21 seconds, placing 22nd.

“It was a great improvement for Yvonne,” Eichert said.

Now individual Bulldogs, Lady Bulldogs will compete in the Class B state meet Saturday in Helena.

“I won’t have a team competing, so I will just be looking for individual PR’s,” Eichert said. “ My athletes are extremely young, but have great heart and put out 100-percent effort every race they run. I hope to have some great times for each athlete at the State Cross Country meet in Helena. It is our last meet and our season has been amazing. I’m looking for great things in the future.”

The following is the results for the Class C cross country divisionals that were held Thursday in Arlee:

High School Boys (3.1 Miles)

Team Results:

1st Place: Charlo (8 Points)

2nd Place: Darby (15 Points)

3rd Place: Arlee (27 Points)

4th Place: Two Eagle (37 Points)

Also Participating: Granite

Individual Results:

1. Wills DeGrandpre Charlo 18:23

2. Donovan Chaffin Darby 19:02

3. Connor Koening Charlo 19:12

4. Devon Siech Charlo 19:52

5. Jordan Usher Darby 20:41

6. Jason Miller Arlee 21:34

7. Kawika Ilac Hot Springs 21:53

8. Waku Komiya Darby 22:04

9. Dylan Moran Two Eagle 22:07

10. Sage Nicolai Arlee 22:16

11. Sequoia Wiley Arlee 22:34

12. Nate Delaney Charlo 22:41

13. Dominique Finley Two Eagle 22:59

14. Colton Baker Darby 23:16

15. Travis Pierre Two Eagle 24:46

16. Brandon Larios Two Eagle 25:30

17. Devin Cordier Arlee 25:38

18. Michael Matt Arlee 26:38

19. Tristan George Two Eagle 28:04

20. Joshua Scrivner Hot Springs 29:38

21. Ethan Perkins Darby 29:38

High School Girls (3.1 Miles)

Team Results:

1st Place: Granite (15 Points)

2nd Place: Arlee (23 Points)

Also Participating: Darby, Hot Springs

Individual Results:

1. Gracie Lang Darby 20:34

2. Shawntaya Nelson Arlee 22:49

3. Haddie Tallon Granite 22:53

4. Jaden Coston Charlo 23:25

5. Emma Grange Granite 23:41

6. Elena McAllister Hot Springs 25:28

7. Alyssa Wingo Granite 25:57

8. Amelia Hill Granite 26:21

9. Aryal Love Charlo 26:48

10. Summer DarcAngelo Arlee 27:17

11. Laurencia Starblanket Arlee 29:20

12. Malachi DeRoche Arlee 29:47

13. Melaia Matt Arlee 33:00

14. Ashley Potts Arlee 36:52

15. Elsa Podesta Darby 36:58

16. Ezra Roan Arlee 43:08