In their final tune-up before the post-season, the Star Valley High School cross-country teams ran in a time-trial at the Jim Bridger Invitational in southwest Wyoming last Thursday.
The Lady Braves claimed three of the top five spots and put all five of their varsity scorers in the top eight, led by Gracey Visser and her first-place time of 12:07.51. Kellsie Dunne, Kylee Linford, Evelyn Scharmann and Tylita Bond all finished between fourth and eighth place. As a team the Star Valley girls scored 21 points, well in front of Jackson who was second with a total of 58.
“It was a great race, it’s been a lot of years since we’ve been there,” coach Ty Draney replied. “Back when we were 3A we were there a few times but it had been awhile. It’s not every day you get a Union soldier shooting a musket to start the race. As for the race, we spend so much time working on race pace, it was nice to have a two-mile and throw everything out the window and compete. Come championship season you need to be wise but brave.”
On the boys side, Colton Cranney had the top time of 9:45.22 to pace the field as the Braves scored 23 points to win the team standings. Sully Wilson, Brigham Hahn, Luke Harris and Caleb Crowther all finished between fifth and ninth in the victory. Mountain View was second as a team with a total of 46 points.
Up next is the 4A West Regionals which will take place in Casper at the paradise Valley Country Club on Friday, October 17.
“It’s a fairly flat course, the kids are excited because there are no loops,” Draney continued. “It’s kind of serpentine in its design. We expect times to be fairly fast. Kelly Walsh just ran their home event there last week. There are always more depth and more contenders so we try and treat it like a dress rehearsal. So we will go and test ourselves against them and sharpen our knives for Cheyenne next week.”
Over the next ten days, the Braves will be looking to earn their fourth consecutive Wyoming 4A state title. The Lady Braves will be looking to climb onto the podium after placing sixth last season. The Wyoming State Cross-Country championships take place in Cheyenne on October 25.
Jim Bridger Invite (Girls Team Scores
Star Valley 21
Jackson 58
Evanston 76
Rock Springs 81
Jim Bridger Invite (Boys Team Scores)
Star Valley 23
Mountain View 46
Evanston 70
Rock Springs 125
Lyman 130
Star Valley Girls
Gracey Visser 12:07.51 (1st)
Kellsie Dunne 12:49.40 (4th)
Kylee Linford 12:50.06 (5th)
Evelyn Scharmann 12:53.42 (7th)
Tylita Bond 12:53.79 (8th)
Carlee Angell 13:00.50
Adrie Kensington 13:49.13
Star Valley Boys
Colton Cranney 9:45.22 (1st)
Sullivan Wilson 10:14.90 (5th)
Brigham Hahn 10:15.68 (6th)
Luke Harris 10:25.43 (8th)
Caleb Crowther 10:29.94 (9th)
Ben Hirschi 10:47.62
Maven Oliversen 11:06.78
