Updated: BOZEMAN — Butte High’s final cross country action before next week’s state meet was a nearly impossible task for the Bulldogs.
Butte High didn’t have a runner crack the top five in a meet with Bozeman and Great Falls.
Bulldog coach Guy Wadas, though, said his team is ready to go.
“Facing one of the best teams in the country, and coming off a pretty tough week of training, I was pleased with how the kids ran,” Wadas said. “Some of the guys are battling a little bug, but no excuses were given by anyone.”
Bozeman’s Chase Equall won the boys’ race, finishing the 3-mile course in 15 minutes, 29 seconds. Bozeman’s Camila Noe won the girls’ race in 17:40.
Sean Staples placed ninth with a time of 17:14 to lead the Bulldogs, although results list him as running for Bozeman.
“Sean Staples stepped up. Jake Vetter and Austin Gerry ran well, too,” Wadas said. “I wasn’t too concerned with the runners’ times today. I wanted them to run on effort today because the runners going to state next week need to understand that. At this point we need to be racers and battle the whole way.”
Gerry finished in 18:20, and Vetter finished in 18:38, on second better than teammate Erik Casagranda.
Kasey Krzan finished in 18:56 for the Bulldogs, who also saw Kyle Konda (19:20), Sean Foley (19:38) and Garrett Miller (19:50) crack 20 minutes.
On the girls’ side, Bulldog Joby Rosenleaf placed sixth in 19:21. Danika Murphy finished in 22:32, and teammates Rosie Real (22:40) and Cati Carmody (22:44) were close behind.
Gabby Haberman (23:13), Brianna Cunneen (24:22), Sheridan Hafer (24:34), Taylor Huff (24:44) and Emily Vincent (24:47) also broke 25 minutes.
“Joby fought through to break up Bozeman’s top seven,” Wadas added. “Cati, Danika, Rosie ran solid races today. Brianna Cunneen, who is back in the top seven, impressed me today. We have a taper week coming and the excitement of state is upon us. We’re looking to make some more improvements this year in the team race.”
