Morley wins state cross country championship

MISSOULA — Makena Morley’s season ended like it began

— on a triumphant note.

The freshman from Bigfork ran off with another easy

victory, this time breaking the state cross country record in the

process, at the all-class state meet at the University of Montana

Golf Course on Saturday.

Morley finished the 3-mile race for Class B with a

time of 17 minutes, 44.32 seconds.

She crossed the finish line one minute ahead of

Selene Johnson of Big Timber, 18:44.73.

Johnson has now finished second the last three

years.

Two-time defending champion Chiara Warner of Townsend

was fourth, 19:15.62.

“It was kind of close at the beginning,” Bigfork

coach Sue Loeffer said.

“I think the (other girls) tried to go out with her

and it hurt a couple of them.”

Loeffler said she had no pre-race advice for

Morley.

“Let her do her own thing like she has all year,”

Loeffler said.

“I think she gets nervous (before a race like this),

but she’s just directed in the right direction. Once the gun goes

off, she’s OK.”

The only thing holding Morley back right now is

competition. She finished the season undefeated and won all her

races by at least 30 seconds.

“I just think it’s hard to keep trying to push

yourself by yourself,” Loeffler said.

“You only get better when you run against more

competition. That’s probably the only thing lacking right now.”

Elizabeth Roodell of Eureka held the old cross

country record that Morley broke on Saturday.

Bigfork’s Chelsea Olson just missed earning all-state

honors. She finished 17th, 20:16.74. That was a course-best time

for the junior.

The top 15 finishers are named all-state.

Alexandra Bartmess was Eureka’s top placer at state.

She was 22nd, 20:45.15.

For the boys, Eureka’s Jon Weaver was 34th,

17:59.34.

Chance Kittle had the top showing for Bigfork,

finishing 97th, 19:27.12.