By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Every member of the Havre High cross country team got her first taste of a No. 1 trophy when the Blue Ponies placed first at the Central A divisional meet at Livingston Saturday.
No one on this team has brought home a divisional trophy, said first-year head coach Kim Ray, who is experiencing top success for the first time, also. Its great because we have a trophy with our names on it. Its tangible. We have one, and now we want more.
Havre won the divisional title with 39 points, defeating Lewistown for the first time in head-to-head competition this season. Lewistown placed second with 41 points.
Jillian Brough notched a career-best time of 21:25 to propel the Blue Ponies to the title. Last weekend at Havre, the Blue Ponies lost to Lewistown in a tiebreaker which came down to the sixth place finisher.
Brough, who was beaten to the finish line one week ago, vowed never to lose like that again. So far, she hasnt.
The No. 6 harrier scooted past her own teammate to finish 11th overall at the meet.
I was ecstatic, Ray said. I was so happy for them. When you get to that point, the two coaches and the few fans, were their only cheering section.
No. 1 Blue Pony harrier Jennie Peterson led the Ponies with a second place finish at the meet in a time of 19:23. Livingstons Jill McKiernan won the contest in 19:17.
Senior Jen Dibblee finished fifth, clocking in at 20:25.
Jenna Baltrusch, who ran with a sideache, clocked in at 21:21, good for a ninth-place finish.
The top 10 finishers received medals for their efforts.
Junior Erin Lynch clocked in at 21:27 in 12th place for the Ponies. Nikki Grant finished 21st overall in 22:00, while Carly Toldness finished 25th with a time of 22:27.
Last year, the Ponies finished with a dismal 103 points at the Central A Invitational, while Lewistown, who went on to win the state title in 1998, had 30 points for the title.
This season, since Sept. 18, the Blue Ponies have finished first at Glasgow, 10th at Missoula, second to Lewistown, 34-36, at Lewistown, second to Lewistown at Havre in a tiebreaker, and first at divisionals.
Every week, so far, weve gotten better, Ray said. We havent peaked yet. Were going to peak at state.
Miles City won the Eastern A title, followed by Colstrip in second place. Both teams could boast tough competition for the Ponies. They are also two teams Havre has not seen yet this year.
Lewistown and Columbia Falls also post stiff competition, which the Ponies have primed for all season.
We have the potential to come home with a trophy, Ray said. We know we can compete with them.
Girls
Team scores Havre 39, Lewistown 41, Livingston 99, Dillon 112, Browning 124, Anaconda 139
Individual results Jill McKiernan, Liv, 19:17; Jennie Peterson, Hav, 19:23; MacKenzie Sherburne, Bro, 19:27; Stevie Gore, Lew, 20:05; Jen Dibblee, Hav, 20:25; Heather Wise, Lew, 20:29; Keely Jeide, Lew, 20:45; Emily Baker, Bel, 20:51; Jenna Baltrusch, Hav, 21:21; Kelsey Pearson, Lew, 21:22; Jiliann Brough, Hav, 21:25; Erin Lynch, Hav, 21:27; Jenna Stenseth, Liv, 21:28; Sherina Mannin, Lew, 21:32; Katherine Hunt, Dillon, 21:39; Katie Brodock, Lew, 21:40; Vanessa Matosich, Ana, 21:42; Tera Hert, Bel, 21:46.42; Nicole Goeden, Dil, 21:46.98; Meghan Johns, Dil, 21:54; Nikki Grant, Hav, 22:00; Heather Parks, Liv, 22:01; Elisha Cassan, Ana, 22:17; Karissa Norman, Ana, 22:18; Carly Toldness, Hav, 22:27; Kendra Bebee, Dil, 22:29; Melody Small, Bro, 23:02; Noelle Harrison, Lew, 23:08; Rose Boyer, Liv, 23:02; Jessica Racine, Bro, 23:26; Stephanie Bull Chil, Bro, 23:48; Cassie Lengstorf, Dil, 23:53; Lindy Running Crane, Bro, 24:20; Leanne Sudbeck, LIv, 24:44; Amanda Guhlke, Ana, 24:55; Alise Watson, Liv, 25:24; Michelle Comisky, Liv, 25:27; Haley McDonald, Dil, 25:56; Libby Beever, Dil, 25:59; Kristian Kelley, Ana, 26:27; Abby Walters, Ana, 26:28; Maranda Ana, 26:49
JV Girls Results
1. Jenna Valach, Fergus, 22:35; 2. Alicia Rundquist, Havre, 22:54; 3. Julie Valach, Fergus, 22:57; 4. Kari Bjelland, Fergus, 23:03; 5. Clea Stalmaster, Fergus, 23:05; 6. Cara Holmquist, Havre, 23:25; 7. Keila Kuykendall, Fergus, 23:17; 8. Jami Kortum, Fergus, 23:32; 9. Erika Bailey, Havre, 23:47; 10. Kyia Zanto, Fergus, 23:53; 11. Stacey Siebrasse, Havre, 24:30; 12. Brynn West, BCHS, 25:01; 13. Megan Walker, Fergus, 25:03.38; 14. Andi Ross, Fergus, 25:03.63; 15. Paula Dreyer, BCHS, 26:00; 16. Lacey Raymond, BCHS, 26:05; 17. Theresa Crockford, Anaconda, 26:23; 18. Janeen Yost, Park, 26:52.25; 19. Addie Steffen, Park, 26:52.52; 20. Nancy Kline, Havre, 26:53; 21. Ashley Kelly, BCHS, 28:19; 22. Lauren Kaiser, Park, 29:06; 23.
