Blue Pony runners shine at the Central A Divisional

The Havre High cross country had one more meet, before running at state and it was at the Central A Divisional meet this past Saturday in Browning.

Running against all their Central A competitors for one of the few times this season, both Havre teams performed admirably. The HHS boys took home a second-place finish at the meet. The Havre girls managed to finish fifth.

“The kids ran extremely well on a technical course,” HHS head coach Josh Holt said, “Overall, I thought that the kids ran a strong race and are looking good going into next week.”

The high point for both teams on the day was the performance of each team’s No. 1 runner. On the girls side of things, the Ponies’ top runner all season has been Rachel David and she proved why Saturday with a second-place finish thanks to a time of 21:34.

No other Havre girl finished in the Top 10, but Nicole Parsons came close and finished 14th after a time of 24:03. Rainey Stoner was 21st with a time of 24:43 Amelia Miller was 27th with a time of 26:24, Hannah Lunak was 28th with a time of 26:49, Meggie Zook was 30th with a time of 27:05 and Marca Herron was 31st with a time of 28:23.

“Rachel ran very well,” Holt said. “She was fourth entering the last lap and was able to run down the other runners to get second place. She really focused and put it on the line. Nicole and Rainey also ran strong.”

For the Havre boys, there was a similar story at the top as Austin Jones put together an impressive performance that earned him a sixth-place finish with a time of 18:07. The Ponies also had a solid day from Jakob Keller, who was 13th with a time of 18:49. Luke Karnauskas was 16th with a time of 19:03 and Brock Ross was 20th with a time of 19:36.

“Austin had a slow start and was back in the pack coming into the first corner,” Holt said. “But he ran a great race and was able to work his way up through the field. Jakob and Luke also continue to improve in every race.”

Bobby O’Leary ended up finishing 21st for the Ponies after he posted a time of 19:37. Lane Paulson took home 24th and he completed the race in 19:40 and Barrett Kilgore was 29th thanks to a time of 20:17.

The divisional meet was the final preparation for the state meet, which the Ponies will take part in next Saturday in Great Falls. Havre will take all of the runners that went to divisionals to state and the meet will get underway at 10 a.m.

Central A Divisional

At Browning

Havre Boys – 6. Austin Jones, 18:07; 13. Jakob Keller, 18:49; 16. Luke Karnauskas, 19:03; 20. Brock Ross, 19:36; 21. Bobby O'Leary 19:37; 24. Lane Paulson, 19:40; 29. Barrett Kilgore, 20:17.

Havre Girls – 2. Rachel David, 21:34; 15. Nicole Parsons, 24:03; 21. Rainey Stoner, 24:43; 27. Amelia Miller, 26:24; 28. Hannah Lunak, 26:49; 28. Meggie Zook, 27:05; 31. Marca Herron, 28:23.