Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Cross Country teams continue to improve

It was another successful day for the Sundance Bulldog Cross Country team in the Big Horn Invitational at the Big Horn Equestrian Center in Sheridan Friday, Sept. 11. 

Freshman Deklan Gill ran a state-qualifying time of 20:00, shaving off more than five minutes of his previous race time. 

Senior Hunter Skeens placed fifth in a time of 16:57 and freshman Riley Marchant placed 15th, finishing in a time of 21:29. Freshmen Rylie Banker and Jordan Mouat also competed for the SHS in the high school 5k. 

Personal records were set by Gill and Josh Pridgeon in the high school boys varsity race. Pridgeon finished in 22:32. Sophomore Kort McLaughlin ran in 22:34.

Eighth-graders Angel Villegas and Wyatt Flahaven also set personal records for the 1.86-mile junior high course. Villegas ran in 12:32 and Flahaven finished in 15:06, knocking off a minute per mile split. 

“The competition was great and goals were achieved,” said Skeens. 

The goal is to continue the momentum of the first several meets and keep shaving off time at each competition. While runners enjoyed the picturesque scenery in Sheridan, the team missed the hills of other courses, which offer opportunity to gain ground, added Marchant and Skeens. 

“Despite a busy Thursday evening for some and an early bus ride, our Bulldog runners did not fail to impress,” said coach Ann Marie Mickle. “Several personal bests were achieved at this meet and everyone gave maximum effort. Coach Jungwirth and I continue to be very proud of their hard work.” 

The SHS Bulldogs will compete in Wright on Saturday, Sept. 19 before hosting the Sundance Invitational Cross Country meet on Friday, Sept. 25 in Sundance.