Ronan after first conference crowns in cross country

It's been nothing but Bigfork and Polson recently regarding the Northwest Conference cross country meet.

The Bigfork girls made it three-in-a-row last October in Pablo while the Polson boys claimed their eighth title in nine years.

But that's about to change.

Ronan has an excellent shot to claim both team trophies today in Libby at Cabinet View Country Club. And it would be the first conference titles for the Chiefs and Maidens.

"It's kind of new territory for them," said Ronan coach Gale Decker of his runners.

"Polson has been right on our heels every meet, but we've managed to come out on top."

This marks Decker's fourth season coaching the cross country program. During that time, he has taken it from the bottom of the conference to the top.

"It has been a big turnaround," said Decker.

"Last year was the first time (in at least three years) we fielded a full boys and girls team."

Decker volunteered his coaching services when there was talk the school might drop the program all together.

"My first year, I had two girls in the program," he said.

"Two girls total. The first race I took the school van."

At the race, one of his runners finished first, the other last.

"So we bookend the race," he said.

"That's when I knew I had a lot of work to do."

He also finished that first year with just one boy.

His second season, he had four boys and four girls to work with. Last year he finished with 16.

"I knew I had to be a recruiter and a salesman first," he said.

"I knew we had some runners in school."

Like Zanen Pitts and Mike Fisher, two top 10 finishers at the conference meet a year ago.

"A real top quality kid," said Decker of the senior Pitts.

"The other four junior boys (Fisher, Andrew Graham, Erik Stedje and Buddy Cheff) are solid kids, have matured and are real competitive now."

Freshmen Terinee McCready and Kaneesha Brown and sophomore Briana Malmquist have been the leading performers for the Ronan girls in 2004.

"The girls were kind of a surprise this year," said Decker.

"I had three girls returning from last year and I had three freshmen girls coming into our program. One of them (McCready) has been our No. 1 girl all year. She's one of the top five in the state in Class A."

Last year's two individual conference winners - Chad Hunsucker and Kasey Harwood, both of Polson, have moved on.

Both individual runners-up are back - Chris Hicks of Frenchtown and Bigfork's Brooke Andrus.

Polson figures to be a challenger on both fronts again with Columbia Falls, Frenchtown and Libby looking for top three finishes.

The boys will race first today at 1 p.m. followed by the girls.

"On paper (they are the team to beat)," said Libby coach Jim May of Ronan.

"They have some good young girls and boys who have worked hard to be in the position they are in."

May feels Libby has an outside shot at placing third.

"We'll see," he said.

"We're happy to be running late in the year on our own course. The kids are anxious to see if they can get personal records on this course with a little more experience."

The last time Libby competed at Cabinet View was Sept. 3.

This is the final meet for all competing schools before the state meet Oct. 23 in Helena.

The top seven individual finishers today will earn all-conference honors. Those placing 8-10 are honorable mention all-conference.