For the first time in his racing career, Evans earned individual medalist honors after chasing down Hellgate's Sancho Ridesatthedoor in the boys' event.
Though defending State AA champion Hellgate easily took the team title, Evans was more than pleased with his finish. Ridesatthedoor held a sizable advantage at the start of the third and final mile before Evans began closing the gap.
With his winning time of 16 minutes, 22 seconds, Evans was four seconds faster than Ridesatthedoor. Dan Sullivan of Hellgate took third in 16:38, followed by Josh Kornish of Sentinel (16:45) and Michael Bowles from Hellgate (16:59).
The Knights placed seven runners in the top 15 and took the team trophy with 29 points. Sentinel was second with 46, Big Sky took third with 69 and Loyola finished fourth with 96 points. Valley Christian totaled 148.
The Hellgate girls made it a sweep by winning their team title by an even larger margin. They scored 32 points, while Sentinel, which scored 60, edged Big Sky by a single point and Valley Christian finished at 112.
Big Sky sophomore Taylor Rather was the girls' champion, beating out her new crosstown rival, Sentinel's Chantelle Grey. Rather, who is in her first year of competing for Big Sky after moving from Fairmont, Minn., took 12th at last Saturday's Mountain West Classic and was just two seconds faster than Grey. On Thursday, Rather's time of 18:59 was 26 seconds better than Grey, who took second.
Rather moved to the front of the pack moments after the starter's gun and held her lead the entire race.
“I knew that Chantelle would be right there with me because she was right there in the last race,” Rather said. “I wanted to get out in front before the top of the hill because I knew she has a good kick. I think she was starting to close the gap at the end, but I was far enough ahead that it didn't really matter at that point.”
Sara Coonce of Big Sky was third at 19:54 and was followed by three Hellgate runners - Nikki Kuenzel (20:15), Emily Howell (20:26) and Bobbi Furrer (20:31).
Missoula City Meet
at the UM Golf Course
BOYS
Team scores: Hellgate 29, Sentinel 46, Big Sky 69, Loyola Sacred Heart 75, Valley Christian 148.
Top 20 individuals - 1, Mike Evans, LSH, 16:22; 2, Sancho Ridesatthedoor, H, 16:26; 3, Dan Sullivan, H, 16:38; 4, Josh Kornish, S, 16:45; 5, Michael Bowles, H, 16:59; 6, Mark Messmer, S, 17:06; 7, Josh Hamilton, S, 17:11; 8, Ryan Robertson, B, 17:16; 9, Jay Barlow, H, 17:19; 10, Ike Wallace, H, 17:21; 12, Matt Hall, B, 17:23; 13, Lucca Seariano, H, 17:28; 14, Ed Kapalcynski, B, 17:28; 15, Forest Chaput, H, 17:31; 16, Cody Moore, B, 17:32; 17, Kevin Rouse, H, 17:32; 18, Jacob Turner, S, 17:35; 19, Christopher Everett, H, 17:43; 20, Hayden Messerman, S, 18:04
Team results
HELLGATE (29) - Sancho Ridesatthedoor, 16:26; Dan Sullivan, 16:38; Michael Bowles, 16:59; Jay Barlow, 17:19; Ike Wallace, 17:21.
SENTINEL (46) - Josh Kornish, 16:45; Mark Messmer. 17:06; Josh Hamilton, 17:11; Jacob Turner, 17:35; Hayden Messerman, 18:04.
BIG SKY (69) - Ryan Robertson, 17:16; Matt Hall, 17:23; Ed Kapalcynski, 17:28; Cody Moore, 17:32; Mac Austin, 18:04.
LOYOLA (965) - Mike Evans, 16:22; Jamie Heard, 18:04; Erik Kappelman, 18:08; Conner Collins, 18:19; Erik Dale, 18:36.
VALLEY CHRISTIAN (148) - Gallen Murray 18:06.
GIRLS
Team scores: Hellgate 32, Sentinel 60, Big Sky 61.
Top 20 individuals - 1, Taylor Rather, B, 18:59; 2, Chantelle Grey, S, 19:25; 3, Sara Coonce, B, 19:54; 4, Nikki Kuenzel, H, 20:15; 5, Emily Howell, H, 20:26; 6, Bobbi Furrer, H, 20:31; 7, Lauren Cross, VC, 20:34; 8, Mari Sullivan, H, 20:41; 9, Dani Johnson, H, 20:55; 10, Aisha Crofts, S, 20:57; 11, Lily Clarke, H, 21:12; 12, Ashley Mix, H, 21:13; 13, Megan Herring, S, 21:17; 14, Rose Harrington, LSH, 21:19; 15, Jessica Deihl, LSH, 21:21; 16, Sarah Messmer, S, 21:24; 17, Kari Goetlich, B, 21:27; 18, Kelly Foust, B, 21:27; 19, Nicole Muskett, S, 21:36; 20, Victoria Valentine, S, 21:38.
Team results
HELLGATE (32) - Nikki Kuenzel, 20:15; Emily Howell, 20:26; Bobbi Furrer, 20:31; Mari Sullivan, 20:41; Dani Johnson, 20:55.
SENTINEL (60) - Chantelle Grey, 19:25; Aisha Crofts, 20:51; Megan Herring, 21:17; Sarah Messmer, 21:24; Nicole Muskett, 21:36.
BIG SKY (61) - Taylor Rather, 18:59; Sara Coonce, 19:54; Kari Goetlich, 21:27; Kelly Foust, 21:27; Andie Moss, 21:50.
VALLEY CHRISTIAN (112) - Lauren Cross, 20:34; Kayla Bullock, 22:24; Brittany Wilke 22:43; Rebekah Gilliand, 23:13.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)