Freshmen set records at time trials

The Polson High School Cross Country Team took to the track at night on Saturday, Aug. 26, for the Saturday Night Lights Track Time Trial to see how the team looks going into the season.

"I was very pleased to see so many determined efforts and fast times under the lights," Polson Cross Country Coach Matt Seeley said. "Thanks also to all the families and friends who came out to support the runners."

Freshman Morgan Delaney made a huge impact, placing first out of all women runners – both high school and adult – with a time of 18:28 running 12 laps around the track.

Delaney's time is the second-highest for a freshman ever in the top 10. She shaved off nearly a minute and a half from her eighth-grade time at the time trials.

"There are very few girls in the state capable of running this fast, especially with competition," Seeley said.

Isabel Seeley posted the third-best time in the women's trial, shaving off over a minute from last year's time to post a 21:13. Katelyn Smith was fifth (22:45) and Araya Nelson was sixth (24:01).

"Isabel ran her best ever time and ended up just missing 10th place on the senior list by one second," Seeley said.

David DiGiallonardo anchored the boys' team posting the best time for high school boys and the second-best time for all men running with a mark of 17:15 – shaving off over two minutes from his time last year.

Jackson Bontadelli was third for the boys (17:18), shaving off 1:50 from last year's time and posting the best-ever time trial by a freshman boy. Kai McDonald was fourth (17:18), and Brandt Heninger was fifth.

"It will be pretty exciting to see what Jackson can achieve over the next four years," Seeley said.

Polson Cross Country's next competition will provide a preview of the state championship course at the large and competitive Flathead Invitational at Rebecca Farms this Friday, Sept. 1.