Mission Valley cross country teams ready to run
Western A Polson
The Pirate boys pace setter has been two-time all-state senior Mason Sloan (a-s: 9th 2019, 10th 2018; a-c: 4th 2019, 9th 2018). A tandem of fellow senior returnees include Sean Stewart and Xavier Pierre. Junior Ryan Dupuis looks to be on the upward ascent, having vastly improved over the course of last season as well as embarked upon a dedicated regimen during the offseason. Sophomore returnees include Drifter Skillicorn, David Bjorge and Noah Roberts.
The Lady Pirate girls return all-conference placers in junior Halle Heninger (12th) and sophomore Karli Owens (15th), who both turned in personal bests at state.
Supplying senior leadership will be River Shoemake, who turned in a season best at state. Sophomore Ashtyn Wagner turned in a personal best against state competition despite wintery conditions.
A number of untested freshman that include daughters of both coaches along with other up-and-comers will vie for varsity slots.
Polson head coach Matt Seeley embarks upon his 16th season with the assistance of 11th year veteran Jenni Brown. Seeley was impressed with the level of offseason training. “We should have a great base for some big performances this year.”
Western A Ronan
The Chiefs graduated their top runner in all-state, thrice all-conference James Normandeau (a-s: 6th 2018; 3x a-c: 2nd 2019, 8th 2018, 13th 2017), who will extend his running career at the collegiate level with Carroll College.
The Ronan boys return a pair of all-conference placers in Brant Heiner (7th) and Michael Irvine (8th), both of whom were consistently running low sub-17s last season.
Senior Zarec Couture ran a personal best sub-18 at the state meet last season and is anticipated to factor larger in Ronan running fortunes this season.
The Ronan girls graduated Rocky Mountain College track recruit Kinsley Barney, LaNissa Mahkuk and Kieauna DeRoche. But the Maidens return all-state junior Analeta YellowBird (a-s:5th, a-c:9th) along with sophomores Olivia Heiner and Brogren Youngren, who both set personal bests at the State A meet despite less than optimal conditions.
Ninth year head coach Noelle Winebrenner recognizes that “The season is full of uncertainty.... we are hopeful that if we can stay healthy and follow safety guidelines, we may be able to see it through.”
Western B Mission
The Mission cross-country program had its largest turnout in recent memory last season. The Bulldog boys captured second place at the Western B Divisional.
The girls graduated 2019 Western B champion Karolyna Buck, who is now running for the Orediggers of MT Tech. The Lady Bulldogs return Madyson Currie and Emmy Flatlip, but get an infusion from Cedar Hunt, Kooper Page and Ellanah Flatlip.
The Mission boys graduated a lone senior in Aidyn Rosenbaum, but return a large contingent. Among returnees are a pair of all-conference placers in senior Isaiah Nasewytewa (8th) and sophomore Zoran LaFrombois (7th). Sophomore Andrew Rush has invested in a fair degree of offseason work which one antipates will pay dividends as the season progresses.
Fifth year head coach Chris Eichert is “excited about our upcoming season,” her first to field two competitive teams.”
Western B Arlee
The Warriors return senior Sage Nicolai along with junior RJ Knoll. Nicolai turned in a sub-20 performance at the Western B Divisional last season, but is currently sidelined mending from an injury.
Freshman Drew Knoll is part of a handful of promising frosh infusing new blood into the program.
For the Scarlet girls, juniors Cheyenne Pablo along with Natallyia Martin and sophomore Princess Bolen are among the top returnees from last season.
All three invested in a training regimen over the course of the offseason which should translate into a quicker pace and faster times. Coach Brett Sproull has identified some competitive fire among his team. “If we’re able to have a full season, I expect both the boys and girls teams to turn some heads.”
Western C Charlo
Seniors Guinevere Contreras and Aryal Love return for the Lady Vikings. Freshman Hayden Smith will compete for the Viking boys. Third year head coach Amy Delaney is optimistic that the program can entice a few more to compete before the first meets get underway.
Western C Two Eagle River
Two Eagle graduated Anthony Charlo, who was consistently cracking the sub-20 barrier last season. Eagle returnees include cousins Cailin and Cael Burke.
The Lady Eagle girls return senior Taylor Pierre, junior Viviana AfterBuffalo-Adams and sophomore LahTai Finley, who all substantially improved over the course of last season. Second year head coach DJ Piapot mentioned that “he is excited about the returning runners and for continuing to build up the program.” Coach Piapot commented that more have expressed interest, which may lead to a larger turnout before meets commence.
accrued athletic accolades:
James Normandeau (XC a-s: 6th 2018; 3x a-c: 2nd 2019, 8th 2018,13th 2017; TF 2x a-s: 800 4th 2019, 1600 4th 2019; 4x a-c: 800 2nd 2019, 5th 2018; 1600 2nd 2019, 3rd 2018), Mason Sloan (XC 2x a-s: 9th 2019, 10th 2018; 2x a-c: 4th 2019, 9th 2018; TF a-s 3200 5th 2019, a-c 3200 5th 2019); Zarec Couture (BBB a-c 2nd-tm 2019-20; TF a-c 4x400 9th 2019), Michael Irvine (XC a-c 8th 2019; TF a-c 4x400 9th 2019), Kinsley Barney (TF a-c 2019: 100 3rd, 200 2nd, 4x100 3rd; 2018A: 100 3rd, 200 3rd; 2017B: 100 5th, 200 4th).