Sundance hosts Bulldog Invitational run

The Sundance Bulldogs hosted the Bulldog Invitational Fri., Sept. 25 at the Sundance Golf Course. 

Senior Hunter Skeens claimed the top place in the varsity boys’ with a time of 17:57, while freshman Rylie Marchant took fourth in the day’s contest with a time of 24:01.

The course proved challenging to runners as they tackled several large hills and inclined stretches throughout the race. 

Freshman Deklan Gill finished 11th in a time of 21:05, while sophomore Kort McLaughlin and senior Josh Pridgeon finished in 22:50 and 23:07, respectively. For the varsity girls, Jordan Moaut ran in 28:08 and Riley Banker finished in 31:14.

Sixth-grader Mary Villegas competed in her first meet. Villegas finished 19th with a time of 16:04 on the 1.8 mile course. Eighth-graders Jaeger McLaughlin and Wyatt Flahaven competed for the junior high boys. McLaughlin ran in 15:20 and Flahaven finished in a time of 15:50. 

With the 2A State Cross Country meet four weeks away, Bulldog cross country coaches Ann Marie Mickle and Jennifer Jungwirth are focusing athletes on gaining strength to tackle more challenging, uphill courses. 

“Hosting a home meet and working the students was a great way to prepare them for the state competition,” Mickle said. “With three athletes already qualified, we look forward to training others to shave off time and meet their personal goals of qualifying for state.” 

Kort McLaughlin shaved more than two minutes off his previous week’s time, and Mouat finished more than a minute faster than in the Wright Invitational. 

The home meet also recognized senior runners Hunter Skeens and Josh Pridgeon with a special ceremony following the final race.

“Coach Jungwirth and I are proud to work with Hunter and Josh,” said coach Ann Marie Mickle. “Both excel in leadership and bring a positive attitude and fun demeanor to practices and meets.”

The Bulldogs will travel to Wright on Sat., Oct. 3 for the Brittany Rentas Memorial Invite.