Bulldogs run at Custer

The Sundance Bulldog Cross Country team competed in the Eldon Knudson Invitational Thurs., Sept. 16 in Custer. 

Freshman Angel Villegas inched closer to a state-qualifying time in the boys' 5000-meter varsity race, finishing in a time of 21:30. Freshman Wyatt Flahaven also competed in the varsity race, finishing in a time of 24:08. 

Senior Andrew Davis, junior Kort McLaughlin and freshman Holden Ayer competed in the 5000-meter junior varsity competition. Davis finished seventh in a time of 21:53, while McLaughlin and Ayer finished in times of 22:44 and 23:34, respectively. 

Sixth-grader Carter Croell ran his 3000-meter race in a time of 15:50. 

"Our boys have been working hard in practice, incorporating hill and strength workouts," said co-coach Ann Marie Mickle. "We saw the positive results of their hard work in Custer." 

The Bulldogs traveled to Big Horn on Friday, Sept. 10 to compete in the Big Horn Equestrian Center Invitational. All high school boys ran in the varsity division.

Villegas finished 10th in a time of 22:47. Davis ran in a time of 23:12, placing 12th. McLaughlin, Ayer and Flahaven finished 19th, 20th and 21st. McLaughlin ran in a time of 24:28, Ayer in a time of 24:47 and Flahaven in 25:00 flat. Freshman Kyten Johnson finished in 28:59.

Croell ran in a time of 17:44.

Big Horn challenged our runners. The high temperatures coupled with the smoke pushed our runners not only physically, but mentally. I was proud of their effort and their ability to find a powerful finish to their races.

The Bulldogs will compete in Pine Haven on Sept. 24 and in Wright on Oct 2 before the Conference Meet in Hulett on Oct. 15.