Ronan cross country ends 2017 strong
This past weekend, the Ronan Chiefs and Maidens traveled to Helena to compete at the state meet. Competing in Class A, for the first time in several years.
For Chiefs, Maidens’ coach Noelle Decker the trip brought back memories.
“It seemed a little bit strange in some aspects, while it brought back some memories of the past years, and the successes we have experienced in the ranks of this classification,” Decker said.
Decker said she was “pleased,” with how her team competed in the Class A state race.
“Overall, I thought our kids competed well on Saturday, with some posting their best times of the season,” Decker said.
Sophomore, James Normandeau, was able to secure 9th place in the boy’s race, with a time of 17 minutes, 17 seconds.
“He is such a patient and smart runner; he had a solid second mile, and just kept working his way towards the front throughout the race,” Decker said. “He continues to get stronger, both mentally and physically, and I really look for him to have a solid track season coming up in the spring, as well as looking forward to next year’s cross country season.”
Seniors, Nate Dennis and Kiry Detwiler finished as the Chiefs No. 2 and 3 runners. Decker said she wasn’t surprised by their stellar performances.
“Those two have been a steady force on our team throughout their high school careers,” Decker said. “They are a couple of work horses that never fail us. They have sometimes been in the back shadows, not always getting the praise they deserve.
However, they always understood how important their roles were and their jobs out on the course; kids like that are tough to replace.”
They finished 40th and 58th, with times of 18 minutes, 9 seconds and 18, minutes, 33 seconds.
“It wast their best times of the season, but still a solid effort, as always,” Decker said.
Rounding out the Chief runners were Freshman, Brant Heiner, our fourth runner in
19 minutes, 10 seconds; Junior, Michael Koehler, the Chiefs’ fifth runner, in 19 minutes, 44 seconds; Sophomore, Christian Silken, the Chiefs sixth runner clocking in at 19 minutes, 49 seconds; and senior, Jacob Dresden, the team’s seventh runner, clocking in at 20 minutes, 37 seconds, a season best.
Decker said she felt the team is still young and up and coming as they prepare for the 2018 campaign.
“We are young in our fourth, fifth and sixth runners, which is not a bad thing,” Decker said. “It means we get them back and they are only going to get faster and stronger.
Maidens finish strong at the end of the year
For the Maidens, they were lead by Freshman, Lindsey Brooks, finishing 22nd overall with a time of 21 minutes, 12 seconds. Brooks was followed by teammate and senior, Penni Weyant, finishing 73rd with a time of 23 minutes, 30 seconds, and sophomore, Kinsley Barney, 113th with apersonal best time of 25 minutes, 36 seconds.
“These three girls put forth an outstanding effort this season,” Decker said. “Saturday in Helena was no exception.”
The Ronan Cross Country team will take a big hit in graduating our four seniors, Dennis, Detwiler, Normandeau, and Weyant, who have played such a huge role in the success of our team the past four years, both as runners and team leaders, Decker said.
Decker said she felt the season ended on a positive note and hopes her team continues to pursue running as a life-long sport.
“Coach Duffey and myself try to instill with these student-athletes that running is something they can take with them the rest of their lives to enjoy, along with the memories and friendships they have gained,” Decker said. “Each season we reflect and comment that our seniors will be tough to replace. However, we also realize we are still a relatively young team, with some big shoes to fill, but have a very promising future.”
The following are the Ronan Chiefs, Maidens results at the MHSA Class A state cross country meet:
RONAN BOYS – 9, James Normandeau, 17:17.70; 40, Nate Dennis, 18:09.91; 58, Kiry Detwiler, 18:33.26; 95, Brant Heiner, 19:10.80; 108, Michael Koehler, 19:44.03; 115, Christian Silgen, 19:49.81; 129, Jacob Dresden, 20:37.60.
RONAN GIRLS – 22, Lindsey Brooks, 22:00.62 ; 73, Penni Weyant, 23:30.36; 113, Kinsley Barney, 25:36.52.