Svennungsen 24th at Nike run

The Daily Inter Lake

BOISE, Idaho - Seth Svennungsen, a senior at Flathead High School, finished 24th with a time of 16 minutes, 25 seconds at the Nike Team Regional cross country championships last Saturday.

Flathead had seven runners competing and finished 16th in the team standings. The race distance was 5K (3.1 miles)

"He's been our team leader all season," said Flathead coach Paul Jorgensen of Svennungsen.

"His place is very good considering the level of competition. There were several nationally ranked teams present."

Justin Barth, another FHS senior, finished 48th, 16:43. Also placing in the top 100 were Leif Castren, 17:25, 89th, and Alec Surynt, 99th, 17:36.

"Our boys did not have their best day, but still competed well," Jorgensen said.

"Times were comparable to times we ran during the regular season. Even though we placed 16th, we feel that the experience of competing against good competition well pay dividends in the future.

"I am sure our runners will work a little harder in response to their experience," Jorgensen continued.

"The seniors will move on next year, but the three sophomores that competed will have gained valuable experience if we choose to return to Boise in 2008."

Also for Flathead, Matt Madieros, 17:59, finished 108th; Andy Wilson, 18:04, was 112th and Cory Hattel, 18:48, 123rd.

Madieros and Hattel are seniors.