The Southwestern A cross-country divisional serves as a tune up for the state race. This year the state championship races will be held at the University Golf Course in Missoula. That course features a killer hill that can slow down the best. The participants in the Southwest A divisional race this weekend had a very similar hill to climb. The race, held at the Hamilton Golf Course, did not have a lot of racers but those that did run will know what they are facing this Saturday in Missoula.
The Hamilton boys attacked the course as a pack with the top three individuals running the first part of the race together. Anthony Schmalz, Easton Albert and Cameron Meikle ran the first half of the race right behind Konor McGee of Butte Central. However, at the hill just below the clubhouse, the trio began gaining ground on him. Schmalz went on to win with a time of 16:26. Albert finished second and Corvallis’ Ronald Venema was third.
The Corvallis trio of Isabella Pape, Kaycie Stewart and Sadi Henderson finished 1,2,3 and powered the Blue Devils to a divisional championship for the girls. The three led almost the entire way before Pape pulled away for the win. Hamilton’s Kaitlin Stromberg finished fourth.
Boys
Team scores – Hamilton 22, Corvallis 46, Anaconda 104, Dillon 113, Butte Central incomplete team.
Individual Top 20
1. Anthony Schmalz, Ham, 16:26.1; 2. Easton Albert, Ham, 16:27.2; 3. Ronald Venema, Cor, 16:39.67; 5. Karill Apendaile, Ham, 16:54.9; 6. Cameron Meikle, Ham, 16:55.7; 8. Greg Beck, Ham, 17:21.5; 9. Dane Watt, Cor, 17:31.7; 10. Carson Jessop, Cor, 17:36.0; 11. Porter Jessop, Cor, 17:54.0; 12. Tanner Lehr, Ham, 17:56.4; 13. Eric Healy, Cor, 18:07.9; 15. Ben Raynoso, Cor, 18:07.9; 16. Josh Jessop, Cor, 18:29.5; 17. Kole Tison, Ham, 18:40.5; 19. Sam Parker, Ham, 18:53.9;
Girls
Team scores – Corvallis 17, Hamilton 54, Dillon 83, Stevensville, Butte Central and Anaconda did not have complete teams.
Individual Top 20
1. Isabella Pape, Cor, 18:38.4; 2. Kaycie Stewart, Cor, 18:56.8; 3. Sadi Henderson, Cor, 18:57.0; 4. Kaitlin Stromberg, Ham, 20:14.4; 5. Amelia Gardner, Cor, 20:30.7; 6. Sydnee McClendon, Cor, 20:37.7; 7. Rachel Wisenbach, Cor, 20:43.2; 8. Jaycie Schmalz, Ham, 21:15.1; 10. Grace Kurfman, Cor, 21:49.0;
11. Tess Clancy, Ham, 21:53.6; 13. Kali Hayes, Ham, 22:09.3; 14. Darci Lewis, Cor, 22:11.0; 16. Hannah Calo, Ste, 22:57.0; 18. Alleah Jordan, Ham, 23:12.5; 19. Sierra Gideon, Ham, 23:18.9;