Libby cross country teams host invitational
Libby sophomore Madison Vincent runs in the Libby Inviational Friday, Aug. 30, at Cabinet Heights Golf Course. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Libby sophomore Rowen Sherbo runs in the Libby Invitational Friday, Aug. 30, at Cabinet Heights Golf Course. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Libby sophomore Bergen Fortner runs in the Libby Inviational Friday, Aug. 30, at Cabinet Heights Golf Course. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Libby sophomore Greysen Thompson runs in the Libby Invitational Friday, Aug. 30, at Cabinet Heights Golf Course. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Libby Loggers first-year head cross country coach Brittany Katzer’s summer club and recruiting efforts are paying dividends in her first year at the helm.
Both the girls and boys teams are fielding full squads that can score as teams. Katzer said between the varsity, junior varsity and middle schools teams, there are 40 runners.
“I’m working on a grant through Flathead Electric so we can get a tent and new uniforms to help us build an identity,” Katzer said.
For Katzer, she knows there’s a ways to go, but she is already pleased with the improvement from last year.
“We established simple incentives for the kids during the summer program in terms of miles ran and they’re already running better now than they did at the end of last year,” Katzer said.
Katzer is bringing in professionals in the fields of fitness, yoga, physical therapy, nutrition, personal training and weightlifting to help the runners as they progress through the season.
At Friday’s Libby Invitational, sophomore Madison Vincent led the Lady Loggers with a fifth-place finish in 21:01.58. Classmate Bergen Fortner was 25th in 26:08.06, senior Aurora Smith was 27th in 28:03.6, junior Jossalyn White was 31st in 29:42.93, junior Annika Benner was 33rd, sophomores Taryn Greene and Taylor Greene were 34th and 35th, respectively.
The Lady Loggers were third in the team standings. Columbia Falls was first while Class AA Flathead was second and Browning was fourth.
For the boys, sophomore Rowen Sherbo placed 17th while running an 18:44.99.
“That’s 22 seconds better than his best time at the end of last year,” Katzer said.
Senior Gabe Hollingsworth was the next highest Loggers finisher. He placed 19th in 18:53.83. Junior Greysen Thompson was 26th in 19:36.81, sophomore Wyatt Gregg was 34th, junior Casey Rusdal was 53rd, junior Johnny Shao was 56th and senior Cael Schwindt was 61st.
The Loggers were fifth in the team standings, ahead of Eureka, Lakeland and Bonners Ferry. Class AA Flathead was first, Columbia Falls was second, Browning was third and Bigfork was fourth.
Libby returns to action Thursday at Eureka’s Indian Head Golf Course. The teams’ next and last home meet is Saturday, Oct. 1 when it hosts the Wilderness Run. Katzer said the kids fun run will be part of the event.
