Daniel Horton Havre Daily News gferguson@havredailynews.com
Cross country runners don’t get a lot of opportunities during the season to perform in front of home fans, so when they do get the chance, you can expect them to take full advantage. On Saturday, the Havre High cross-country teams will host their only meet of the season the Havre Invitational. The meet will take place in front of Cowan Hall on the campus of Montana State University-Northern. Starting at 10 a.m. are the junior high girls, followed by the junior high boys at 10:30 a.m., junior varsity girls at 11 a.m., junior varsity boys at 11:40 a. m., varsity girls at 12:20 p.m. and the varsity boys at 1 p.m. Expected at the meet are anywhere between 15 and 20 teams. Some of the teams planning to compete are Browning, Cut Bank, Shelby, Valier, Harlem, Malta, Glendive, Glasgow, Wolfpoint, Fergus and two more teams from Canada. The Blue Ponies are going to have their hands full this weekend. They will be running against some rival schools with a lot of talent, and even though they will be running on their home course, it is one of the tougher courses on the HHS schedule. Havre High head coach Kyle Fisher said that it is good to be familiar with the course, but what really makes the difference is how they go out and perform. But the good thing about a tough course and talented rivals is the good competition. The top team from Class B, Glasgow, and rivals Lewistown and Browning will all test the Ponies this weekend. “We’re just taking this as another race.” Fisher said. “And they just need to go out and compete. If they go out and compete this weekend, that will take care of everything else.” Knowing that this is an important meet close to the state race, the Ponies practice has been kicked up a notch. Like every other meet for the Ponies, it is a learning experience and the next step to their goal of winning state. “This has been a tough week of practice for the kids.” Fisher said. “And all of them have been working really hard and the intensity level has risen.” Some good news for the Pony team is the return of Garrett Korb. Korb has consistently held the top spot on the squad, and even though the Ponies performed very well last weekend in Missoula, his presence was missed. But the Ponies have a full team of consistent runners. Running hard every weekend for the Pony boys are Kendall Murie , Kaden Keto , Kade Barsotti and Nieko ray. And for the girls there is Sarah Viglotti Shelby O’Niel , Brittanee Korb and Shay Tatsey That’s not to say that all the Pony athletes aren’t running hard. Last weekend in Missoula they all ran strong, and recorded their best times of the season. Even though midway through the season, their best times were recorded, coach Fisher doesn’t think they are done improving. “I don’t think they have peaked yet.” Fisher said. “I think that last weekend was an excellent weekend but I think our peak will come at the end, at the state race.” Fisher is excited for the Ponies home meet, and for the opportunity his team has to run in front of their home fans. They have been working hard all week and are looking to build on the success of last weekend. “All of the kids through the boys and girls lineup are looking good and looking forward to competing.” Fisher said. “They should all do very well this weekend.” On Saturday the varsity girls get started at 12:20 p.m. and the varsity boys begin at 1 p.m. in the Havre Invitational outside of Cowan Hall at the Montana State University-Northern Campus.
