The Chinook Sugarbeeters, Harlem Wildcats and Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbird Cross Country runners were all at the Glasgow Invitational this past Saturday. The Course was set up roughly 20 miles south of Glasgow along the shores of Fort Peck Reservoir at the Downstream Campground Nature Trail/Kiwanis Park location. The Sugarbeeters had five girls and one boy in the field, Harlem's contingent consisted of two boys and a girl while the Thunderbirds had one boy on the course Saturday.

Chinook senior Anna Terry once again paced all local runners finishing fourth overall and first amongst the Class C runners. Terry continued to build on the momentum she has created in her first two races of the season. Terry completed the course in 20:02.90 with her mile splits being 6:28.

It was a great day overall for the 'Beeters, Wildcats and Thunderbirds. Hays/Lodge Pole senior Daniel Henry is the team's lone runner and took thirty full seconds off his time from his previous race at the Prairie Farms Golf Course in Havre. Henry ran a 6:50/mile pace to cross the finish line in 21:10.40 to lead the Blaine County boys' runners.

Harlem senior Landen Gray was the next local runner to cross the finish line, clocking in at 21:31.80. Junior Moses Lawrence was next to cross the line for the Wildcats with a time of 23:23.40. Chinook junior Corey Bilger finished with a time of 24:14.30 as he continues to improve week to week.

Chinook freshman Emma Klingamen completed the course in 24:34.70. Not far behind was junior Ryley Hofeldt running a solid race and recording a time of 25:04.90. Freshman Kirby Hofeldt turned in a time of 25:37.40 and sophomore Jeni Mord rounded out the 'Beeter contingent with a time of 25:44.00. Harlem's Aimilia Blackcrow completed her race in 36:53,70

"After the meet at Fort Peck I feel the kids know what running a 5k race is all about. They have come so far since their first meet in Cut Bank," said 'Beeter Head Coach Kendall Harwood." The course on Saturday was definitely to the runners liking, "It's really quite amazing. The course was all flat and about 98% asphalt. We knew going in, it was going to be a very fast course. The meet was held at Downstream campground right below the dam at Fort Peck. The course followed the nature trail, so the kids were weaving through ponds and along the river."

Harwood was very pleased with his girls' team, "They all had stellar performances. Anna looked very strong the whole way. We lost sight of her between miles 1 and 2 but when she came back around with about half a mile to go, I was impressed with her position. She was hanging in there with some of the top runners in the state and looking strong doing it."

Running a very good race as well, the 'Beeter girls new to running stuck together, "Those four started the first mile together in a tight pack. Emma and Ryley started to break away on the second mile of the race. Emma could've had an even better time than she did, but she had to stop to tie her shoe and pull a cactus out of her leg," said Harwood. "I am very happy with Kirby and Jeni as well. They have been really working to improve their speed during practice. They had really strong finishes and I know they have more in them. "

One thing about running Cross Country is every course presents a new and different challenge than the one before, "Our next few meets should have a few more hills than our last two races. This week we will focus on endurance, speed, and hills," concluded Harwood.

Chinook freshman Kirbey Hofeldt has shown tremendous improvement week to week to start the season.

The Sugarbeeters will be in Centerville this Saturday while the Wildcats will head to Hays today for the Thunderbird Invite. On Thursday the team will be in Frazier. Both the Sugarbeeters and Wildcats will be in Havre on Saturday, October 1.