Runners improve split times

This past weekend saw the Bobcat cross country runners compete at Billings, Mont. The competition was for the four high school students, and Tahja Hunt placed 21st with a time of 20:55. Kenna Bomengen placed 23rd with 21:00; Olivia Weyer placed 68th with 23:43; and Dayna Sandberg placed 93rd with 27:13.

Coach Stephanie Metz said she was “super impressed with our runners” at the Billings meet. They did much better with their split times, with just over a minute between their first and second miles compared to about two minutes difference at the Kelly Walsh Invite at Casper. Their overall times improved as well, and Metz pointed out they all did better than the Billings meet last year.

Regarding the course, Metz said it’s basically two flat soccer fields, and the girls were competing in a “fishbowl” of heat and smoke.

Metz plans to have the runners work on their last 1.1 miles, that last kick at the end of the race, and this weekend they’re in a good place to practice — Sheridan at the Michelle Ludwig Invite. Metz pointed out that Sheridan is also where state competition is this year, and she hopes to see high school students return this year.

She’s also excited to see how well the middle school students do. While there were some at the season opener at Casper, she said there are a total 11 middle school runners this year.

The Sheridan meet is scheduled to start at 2 p.m., at the VA hospital.