Pirates, Lady Pirates cross country excels in Bozeman
POLSON RUNNER Landon Shipley runs in the Ronan Invitational. Shipley is a key component to the new and improved Pirates team. (Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
POLSON RUNNER Zachary Evertz runs in the Ronan Invitational in Pablo. (Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
POLSON RUNNER Gwen Seeley competes in the Ronan Invitational in Pablo. (Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
The Polson High School cross country team had to deal with scheduling changes like many other teams across the Mission Valley as they entered their second week of competition.
Traditionally, Polson races in the Highlander Invitational in Spokane. This race showcases several of the top cross country runners in the region and the country, according to the Pirates’ coach Matt Seeley.
Instead of going to the Highlander Invitational, the Pirates, Lady Pirates running teams traveled to Bozeman to participate in the Bozeman Invitational in search of more favorable conditions to run in.
Pitted against mostly Class AA schools, the Lady Pirates finished fifth. Only Class AA schools were ahead of them in the Bozeman Invitational.
“They have continued to improve as a group and prepared to face some of the top Class A rivals Hardin and Whitefish in upcoming contests,” Seeley said. “They just had some very strong performances from many of our Pirate runners.”
Bea Frissell finished 9th with a time of 19 minutes, 18 seconds, Naima Crowl placed 14th with a time of 19 minutes, 40 seconds, Molly Sitter placed 31st with a time of 20 minutes, 43 seconds, Malia Seeley finished 54th recording a time of 21 minutes, 29 seconds and Gwen Seeley rounded out the top-5 for the Lady Pirates placing 73rd with a time of 22 minutes, 28 seconds.
Pirates cross country continues to improve
The Polson Pirates High School cross country team continues to make notable improvements, according to Seeley.
Seeley said the trend continued at the Bozeman Invitational.
“The boys looked stronger than they have in years and are capable of getting much better by the end of the season,” Seeley said. “If they can get into the top 5 times and run below 18 minutes then they can start to compete with successful Class A programs like Corvallis and Frenchtown.”
Quin Stewart finished 45th recording a time of 17 minutes, 46 seconds. Landon Shipley finished 52nd recording a time of 17 minutes, 56 seconds. Jonah DuCharme finished with a time of 18 minutes, 36 seconds, placing 85th. Mason Sloan finished with a time of 19 minutes, 9 seconds, placing 111th and Kedrick Baker finished 114th recording a time of 19 minutes, 14 seconds rounding out the top-5 finishers for Polson.
“With wonderful clean air in the valley and a good, cooling forecast for later in the week, we will now be ramping up for our home meet this coming Saturday at the Silver Fox golf course in Pablo.” Seeley said.
Currently, Seeley is looking for volunteers from parents and other folks. If you are interested in volunteering for the Polson-Ronan Invitational that will take place Saturday in Pablo you can contact Seeley at the following e-mail address: Seeleyspeedwagon@gmail.com