HLP's Runs Above races to historic title

The Hays-Lodge Pole Thunderbirds have always been best known for their prowess on the basketball floor. But now, thanks to the efforts of Isaiah Runs Above, the T-Birds can be known for their running ability as well.

That’s because Runs Above made school history for HLP Saturday in Helena at the Bill Roberts golf course, as he won the school’s first individual state championship with a time of 17:23 in the boys Class C state cross country meet, finishing five seconds ahead of Sam Leep of Manhattan Christian for the title.

“What I’m feeling right now,” He told to the Great Falls Tribune, “I can’t even put it into words. This is crazy. I never ever thought this would happen. Put in all that work and it paid off. Crazy. I still can’t believe it. I’m the first one out of my school to be a cross country state champion. First one ever. I never ever thought this would happen to me. It’s a dream come true.”

Runs Above was joined at the meet by teammate Isiah Denny, who finished 63rd (20:58). But because the T-Birds did not have enough individual runners, they were not included in the team scores. Manhattan Christian, which had two top three finishers won the team title, followed Richey-Lambert and Roberts.

Box Elder also took part in the meet and were led to a 13th place finish by Jerel Anderson, who finished 22nd for Box Elder with a time of 19:11. Nacona Limberhand also finished 69th for the Bears (21:19), while Chiez Lynn was 82nd (22:03).

In the girls Class C state meet, West Yellowstone took home the state championship, with Manhattan Christian getting second and Richey-Lambert third. The HLP girls finished 16th in the meet, followed by the Box Elder girls, who were 17th.

Dianna Snow led the T-Birds by finishing 38th (24:29). Darrellyn Blackwolf (66, 28:10) and Buckles Kassi (78, 31:00) were the other runners for HLP. Lily Gopher was the top runner for Box Elder (53, 26:16). Maddie Wolf Chief (27:29) was also 61st and Trystan Abeita was 77th (30:56).

Both Rocky Boy and Harlem took part in the Class B state cross country meet, but neither had enough runners to score team points in the boys or girls meets. Manhattan won the Class B boys title, with Glasgow getting second and Broadwater third. On the girls side of things, it was also Manhattan that won first place. Bigfork finished second in Colstrip was third.

The Harlem boys had three runners finish, with Lance Black Crow 146, (23:05), Lance Lille Plume (158, 24:21) and Moses Smith (169, 28:42) all taking part. Rocky Boy also had three in the boys competition and got its best showing from Jamison Standing Rock, who was 39th (18:59). Cedric Belcourt was 89th (20:33) and Lane Turn Toes was No. 161 (24:42).

In the girls competition, the most notable performance was from L’Tia Lawrence, who ran a 21:28 in the Class B meet to finish 11th and earn All-State honors. Lawrence was also All-State as a freshman.

Kristyn Kittson (26:06) was 91st for Harlem, followed by Gabrielle Bell (28:48) and Kailee Horn (29:27), who were No. 131 and 136. Rocky Boy also had two girls run at state in Kiara Small (103, 26:45) and Miracle Small (129, 28:33).