Runners tune up for state

This time, Flathead senior Leif Castren was all by himself as he sprinted down the final stretch of the cross country course at Kidsports Complex.

Castren won the three-mile boys race in 15:53 and teammate Hunter Schutt followed in second, 16:32, at the Glacier Invitational on Thursday. Castren last raced at Kidsports in September when he was second in a parade of Flathead boys who finished five in the top six.

But on Thursday, it was a different sight as the Flathead boys won the three-team get-together without three of their top runners who are out due to either sickness or injury.

Glacier freshman Troy Fraley battled his way into third, 16:36.

In the girls race, Flathead's Paige Bouma went neck-and-neck with Troy's sister, Heather, before winning in the final strides with 19:06. Fraley was 19:08.

"We have some young kids still learning to race, and we had several guys under 18 (minutes) today, which is good for us," Glacier coach Mike McLean said. "We're just trying to peak at the right time and we're looking for personal bests at the state meet."

The state meet is next Saturday in Missoula.

Brett Harrison of Flathead earned fourth, 17:08, Glacier's Richie Boyer came in fifth, 17:17, and Flathead's Andy Wilson finished sixth, 17:21.

For girls, Glacier's Rachael Hart clocked 19:45 for fourth, Hannah Macfarlane of Flathead earned fifth, 20:10, and teammate Rose Byrne finished sixth, 20:39. Eureka's Bailey Malecha placed seventh, 20:45.

Glacier Invite Cross Country Meet

Thursday

Boys

Team Scores

Flathead 21, Glacier 40, Cut Bank 75, Eureka 112

Individual Results

1, Leif Castren, FLA, 15:53; 2, Hunter Schutt, FLA, 16:32; 3, Troy Fraley, GLA, 16:36; 4, Brett Harrison, FLA, 17:08; 5, Richie Boyer, GLA, 17:17; 6, Andy Wilson, FLA, 17:21; 7, Nate Kavanagh, CUT, 17:33; 8, Erik Patyk, FLA, 17:37; 9, Aaron Murry, GLA, 17:48; 10, Jeremiah Gaiser, FLA, 17:55; 11, Mike Gordon, GLA, 17:56; 12, Flint Martino, GLA, 17:59; 13, Alec Reitzel, GLA, 18:05; 14, Matt Macfarlane, FLA, 18:07; 15, Zach Altenburg, CUT, 18:07; 16, Max Dubbe, CUT, 18:08; 17, Carter Krantz, FLA, 18:10; 18, Jacob D'Isidoro, CUT, 18:11; 19, Zane Nelson, FLA, 18:18; 20, Ben Robertson, GLA, 18:21; 21, Jon Weaver, EUR, 18:42; 22, Adam Harris, GLA, 18:43; 23, Zach Peterson, GLA, 18:49; 24, Kolton Cahoon, GLA, 18:49; 25, Zach Evans, CUT, 18:52.

Team Scores

Flathead 22, Glacier 34, Cut Bank 80

Individual Results

1, Paige Bouma, FLA, 19:06; 2, Heather Fraley, GLA, 19:08; 3, Sierra Maxwell, FLA, 19:38; 4, Rachael Hart, GLA, 19:45; 5, Hannah Macfarlane, FLA, 20:10; 6, Rose Byrne, FLA, 20:39; 7, Bailey Malecha, EUR, 20:45; 8, Cheyenne Cook, FLA, 21:09; 9, Brit Clark, GLA, 21:18; 10, Kylee Gibson, GLA, 21:22; 11, Breanna Leggitt, FLA, 21:24; 12, Bridget Unterreiner, GLA, 21:36; 13, Brooke Ball, CUT, 21:39; 14, Kearsten Hedges, GLA, 21:44; 15, Alex Brunson, EUR, 21:57; 16, Brianna Bauer, CUT, 22:04; 17, Ashley Postier, FLA, 22:05; 18, Emily Lynch, GLA, 22:30; 19, Ashley Baker, CUT, 22:53; 20, Adrianna Saunderson, FLA, 22:54; 21, Ashlynn Meuchal, GLA, 23:03; 22, Linzi Reirsgard, FLA, 23:09; 23, Alexis Campbell, FLA, 23:12; 24, Sarah Kapp, CUT, 23:25; 25, Rylee Doore, CUT, 23:32.