Finish line in sight

For the Havre High cross country teams, the entire season really is all about preparing for one race: The Class A state meet and for both teams, the work is finally over as the biggest race of the season takes place Saturday in Helena.

Over the past two seasons, the Blue Ponies have been improving under head coach Josh Holt and Saturday in Helena, at the Bill Roberts Golf Course, they can show just how far they have come.

Last year at state, both Havre teams finished in 11th place. That's a mark both teams will be looking to improve, starting with the Havre girls.

"The first thing for us is that we want to get into that top 10," Holt said. "I think we have the potential for both teams to do that. They have worked really hard this week and I know they are ready. It just depends on how they go out and run, but both are capable, even top 5."

In 2016, Kadia Miller, a freshman at the time, was the Ponies' top runner and she finished 19th a year ago. However, as a sophomore, Miller has been even better. She has won multiple meets this year and is coming off a first-place showing at the Central A Fall Classic.

Miller was just short of earning Class A All-State honors last season, which is something Holt believes she can achieve this season.

"Absolutely," Holt said. "She can definitely get into the top 15, I think she has a chance at the top 10. With the way she ran at the 7-on-7 and how she compares to the other Class A runners, I think she will do very well."

Yet, Miller might not be the only Havre runner with a shot at finishing in the top 15. Senior Kaylee Nystrom was 39th in 2016, but has gotten better and better. She was third at the Fall Classic and along with Tamera O'Leary, will be one of Havre's top runners.

"I think Kaylee has a good chance of making All-State," Holt said. "Tamera, I could also see her in the top 20. It depends how they run, but they both have the potential."

The other varsity participants for Havre at state will be senior Amelia Miller, as well as Lilly Taly, Madison Shennum and Melanie Jones.

Like the Pony girls, the boys team finished 11th at state a season ago. However, one advantage the boys team has is that all seven runners will be back at state Saturday. And with the pack time of the boys shrinking by the week, Havre should have a chance at a strong showing.

Like the girls team, the Havre boys have a couple runners that could push for All-State honors starting with Austin Jones. A senior, Jones finished 29th a season ago. He has been the No. 1 runner all year long and should he the top finisher for Havre. Right behind him will be junior Jakob Keller, who is running at state for the third straight season.

"I think that Austin should have a good chance," Holt said. "It's going to be tough, there are a lot of really talented runners and talented teams in Class A, but he has the ability."

The other varsity runners for the boys team in Helena will be Cameron Pleninger, Quinn Reno, Trevor Williams, Noah Azure and Barrett Kilgore.

The Havre boys will start their race at 11 a.m. Saturday, the Havre girls will start at 12 p.m. The state meet in Helena is for all classifications.