HHS harriers run hard in Lewistown

On an exciting Friday at Prairie Farms Golf Course, the Havre High cross country teams got their 2020 season off to a great start. Week two however, presented a couple of new challenges for the Blue Ponies.

Last week, Havre traveled to Lewistown for the Fergus Invitational, a meet that once again featured top Class A competition, as well as deep fields from area B-C schools as well.

The meet was also tough because of the course the races are held on, and conditions were less than ideal due to poor air quality. Still, the Ponies ran hard, and raced to the best of their abilities, as the Havre girls placed fourth overall, and the HHS boys took fifth.

“A very challenging, hilly course and the smoke was pretty bad. But all the runners did a great job and pushed through it,” HHS head coach Kari Filius said,.

In the girls race, Sadie Filius paced the Ponies with an 11th-place finish in 22:52. Hannah Haslem was next for Havre, finishing in 17th with a time of 23:59, while Loy Waid was right behind her with a time of 24:01. Emma Gillen placed 20th in 24:13, Maleigha Fuzesy was 27th with a time of 25:41, Tamera O’Leary placed 28th in 25:52 and Neveah Phillips finished in 26:12.

On the boys side, Caleb Tomac continued to impress with an 11th-place finish in 19:02, while Dylan Young placed 18th in 19:57. Kendall Pleninger was 26th overall with a time of 20;55, Brody Henry was 27th in 21:00, Carter Spangler was 30th in 21:05, Ethan Durward was 34th in 21:12 and Riley Pleninger was 36th in 21:15.

The Ponies will go on the road again this Friday, traveling to the Great Falls Invitational. Havre also still has a second home meet next month, which will be run at Beaver Creek,

“The kids are working hard and competing well,” Coach Filius said. “We'll keep working hard and hopefully be where we want to be at State.”