The Star Valley Cross-Country teams ran in the Bozeman Invite for the first time on Saturday and both teams placed fifth in the varsity runs.

In all, a total of 53 schools had runners in the event which included 37 complete teams. Eight of those schools came from Wyoming with Star Valley finishing as the second fastest from the Cowboy State in each division.

It was a successful outing for the junior varsity as well with the JV girls placing third and JV boys placing 12th. The top four JV boys runners ran in the varsity race as rules allowed up to ten for the category.

“It was a lot or fun,” reported coach Ty Draney. “A great course and a great event. We saw a lot of new schools and some Wyoming schools too and got a taste of things to come. It was a long Saturday but it was awesome.”

The Lady Braves placed fifth with 213 points, edging both Powell and Cody. Kelly Walsh was third overall with 137. Helena had the top score of 84.

Tylita Bond led the effort with a time of 19:47 which was good for 25th overall. Kellsie Dunne also went under 20 minutes with a final of 19:57. Carlee Angell, Adrie Kennington and Evelyn Scharmann rounded out the scoring five.

The Braves finished with a total of 173, tied with Hellgate but was fifth on criteria. Sheridan, led by Eli Balkenbush, the overall winner, won the team scores with a 58. Bozeman was second with an 82.

Luke Harris led the way for Star Valley with a ninth place finish and a time of 16:13. Caleb Crowther was 15th with a 16:21. Ben Hirschi, Maven Oliversen and Carter King rounded out the scoring five.

“I think we are where we thought we were,” Draney reported on the performance. “Depending on the course, we have some gaps to close down a bit but the kids are working extremely hard and have a great attitude. Sheridan is everything we knew they were on the boys side. Kelly Walsh is great on the girls side. Now the next thing is how we can match up with them better. This is the heart of the season so we will keep doing what we’re doing and trusting the process.”

The SVXC teams will be in Utah next week for the Wasatch Rendezvous on Saturday September 19.

“I think Bozeman was a boost of confidence for them,” Draney said of his runners. “We’re working though a bunch of colds and some bugs so hopefully we can work though the system. In this race, the varsity runs in waves every two minutes, it’s going to be chaos for a few hours.”

Bozeman Invite (Girls Team Scores)
Helena 84
Gallatin 136
Kelly Walsh 137
Bozeman 164
Star Valley 213
Powell 219
Cody 235
Billings West 239
Sheridan 273
Hellgate 278
(24 Teams)

SVHS Varsity Girls
Tylita Bond 19:47 (25th)
Kellsie Dunne 19:57 (28th)
Carlee Angell 20:06 (34th)
Adrie Kennington 20:48 (66th)
Evelyn Scharmann 20:52 (73rd)
Liddy Cranney 21:31
Kayvri Dockstader 21:48
McKayla Baker 22:26

Bozeman Invite (Boys Team Scores)
Sheridan 58
Bozeman 82
Helena 113
Hellgate 173
Star Valley 173
Hardin 195
Flathead 243
CM Russell 264
Thunder Basin 272
Kelly Walsh 274
(28 Teams)

Bozeman Invite (SVHS Boys)
Luke Harris 16:13 (9th)
Caleb Crowther 16:21 (15th)
Ben Hirschi 17:09 (53rd)
Maven Oliversen 17:10 (54th)
Carter King 17:16 (60th)
Jace Mitchell 18:07
Kade Linford 18:17
Derek Crowther 18:54
Eric Hunting 19:12
Marc Harris 19:34