I ROCK WINNERS #7 - 7 on 7
Thursday was a great day to race in Helena; cool temperatures, a little rain, and not a lot of wind! We had some PR's in the JV races, and our Varsity runners rose to the occasion in the showing of 7 on 7 races. The first I-Rock goes to Bauer Hollman, our senior leader in all ways. Bauer had a great race in the #2 race, where he held a patient first mile, moving up through the second half of the race. His form was on point, and he was so coachable at many points throughout the course. His time was the fastest he's ever raced on this course in his career, and he did a great job leading the boys team. Kasen Kastner is the next recipient; his first EVER I-rock! And no, he didn't get it because of the gas station hotdog, but rather for a patient start, and strong second half of his race. Kasen competed head to head with the boys in #3 race, was focused and coachable, and in a great head space. He earned his hotdog! Grace White - a senior who took a risk on cross country her junior year and has grown an incredible amount as a runner these last two years! She ran a Seasons Best on this hilly and challenging course, and was a gritty competitor. We love her dedication to the sport and her team. She is a great senior leader for the JV girls. And last but not least, Akiyah Hardman! She raced a PR on her inaugural Bill Roberts Course. Ky has taken 5 minutes off of her race times since the start of the season! She has grown a ton as a runner in her freshmen year, and her positive spirit and high fives are a guarantee.
I ROCK WINNERS #6 - WHITEFISH INVITATIONAL
Tuesday was a great day to race in Whitefish! We had three squads take 1st - Varsity Girls, Varsity Boys and JV Boys. We had 16 PR's and 7 SB's. Great weather and easy travel! Kicking off the 1st I-Rock is Adam Felsch. Adam ran a new PR as a junior, and took over 45 seconds off of his last race. Adam is humble and modest, and a gritty internal competitor. We love what he brings to the team! Margo Cummings also put up a PR taking 47 seconds off her time and digging deep to get a Varsity spot. She's been working so hard all season, and has walked away not fully satisfied, until today. Way to get after it! Lilli Rumsey Eash also had a great race, putting up a SB and finishing 4th. She is a leader by example and is doing a great job balancing 2 Varsity sports. Way to be gritty as an individual and for your team. Will Barnes is the final recipient. Will raced a HUGE PR, and broke the 19 minute barrier. At one point in the race, Will was asked by Coach Rumsey to put in a 20 second surge to close a gap, at the top of a hill. He executed exactly as he was told, and that surge sealed the deal on his PR. Way to go you 4!!
I ROCK WINNERS #5 - MOUNTAIN WEST
What a HOCO week to be ended with Mountain West Classic, a fav amongst many! In the rush of dance prep, we failed to get THE I-Rock photo, but please see these recipients below!
Abby Bailey, what an amazing kick to the finish which landed not on a Season's Best, but a PR!!! Abby has been training diligently this season in addition to a great summer off season. She has shaved off a record of more than 3 minutes from her season's first race. Even better is her positive attitude and constant smile! Elley Alvord is our next female winner this week! She managed to pull off a SB, taking more than a minute off her times this season. She is back to where we need her - hyped to compete and coming into her fastest times. AND injury free :) Chris Holland was one of our five freshmen PR's, with a time of 18:59...just breaking that 19 minute barrier. He has been a strong competitor all season, narrowing his times down, and leaning into some healthy inner squad competition. Finally, Andrei Hamilton, one of our newest runners, also put up a PR on the Mtn West Course. He has taken more than two minutes off times this season, and we are so lucky he took a risk on Cross Country as a junior. We love his attitude and easy going spirit. Congrats to these four runners and all of our squads this week!
I ROCK WINNERS #4 - BUTTE INVITE
Great trip to Butte, especially for Lincoln McElwain who received his first ever I-Rock! Lincoln is steadfast in his hard work, and has been grinding in practices from the start of the season. Not only did he run a PR in Butte, but he has taken over 1 minute off of his time since the start of the season. He also had a great finish! Wynn Olson, also ran a PR, and shaved over 90 seconds off of his Butte time last year. Wynn is dialing in the competitive spirit, and competed against runners, passing many of them in the second half. Love his positive attitude! Two of our seniors received the I-rocks, both having been in the program for four years. We will start with Mikenna Conan, who has raced PR's the last 3 meets in a row! She had an amazing off season of running, and has come to take her competitive level to the next step in XC. She is a modest and humble athlete, and always incredibly coachable. She got the girls team off the line which she was tasked with doing, and kicked her way to the finish. Afton Wride also put up a PR in Butte. She ran around a minute faster than last week and was our 4th Varsity runner. Afton was tasked with a competitive move in the race by coaches, and delivered exactly what she needed to do. She has learned to race uncomfortably and for her Girls, and she came in clutch in Butte. Her leadership and spark is contagious as well. GREAT JOB TO ALL RUNNERS!
This I-Rock crew is a little more haggerd after an over night in Butte after Bozeman Invite! What a great weekend we had - Wins in so many categories: individual performances, team performances, sportsmanship, culture, bonding and representing FHS Cross Country.
Lucy Downey kicked it off with a Seasons Best, and an amazing finish to her race. She was competitive, and put up an amazing finish. On the flip side, Lucy is a supportive team member and listener, and amazing friend to her team. Gunnar Carpenter also ran a Seasons Best, over 2 minutes faster than last week. After a long off season of running and strength, he competed out of his comfort zone and came out on top! Fin Reed raced his way onto the Varsity squad amidst a JV race where he got 4th! Fin executed perfectly a strategy that works for him, and was humble and modest in his gains. He is excited to embrace his Varsity spot next week! And Hailey Hendrickson had a career all time race! After 4 years of laborious efforts and commitment, Hailey not only gave her absolute best, but competed with incredible intensity, which landed a PR and solid Varsity spot. Additionally, she is an amazing leader for her team.
I ROCK WINNERS #2 - FLATHEAD INVITE
We conquered the largest ever Flathead Invite with some great team finishes and individual success. Our first I-Rock recipient is Mikaela Mayne who ran a PR which puts her on Varsity next week. Mikaelya has been chomping at the bit to compete and ran a strong and steady race. She was excited to race and we love that attitude. Korrine Nuila is our second recipient. New to our team, Korrine is tapping into a new found love for running. She continues to improve every week and is incredibly tough, as she trains through some pain and never complains. We love her attitude! Brodyn DeShaw crushed the freshmen race and raced a time that also puts him on Varsity this week. Brodyn is quickly learning the ropes of 5k races, and Varsity level workouts and mindset. He had a strong race and great finish. Mitchell Johnson, who is new to the Top 10 list for FHS, had an amazing race on Friday. He was patient and persistent, and raced strong with a gritty finish. His summer running and every day hard work is paying off.
I ROCK WINNERS #1 - LIBBY INVITE
Libby Invite was a tremendous success for all 4 teams, with Varsity girls winning the meet and Varsity boys taking 2nd! Lots of PR's and confidence building!
First shout out goes to Josie Wilson, who took 3rd over all and 2nd for the Bravettes. After a challenging sophomore year, Josie is back and has put in lots of summer miles and strength. She raced gritty, breaking the 20 minute barrier and put up a PR! Josie Shiffman put a mark on her high school career at her first 5k race, a PR, and amazing effort. She has been a bright addition to our squad, being very coachable, never complaining and working hard. We are excited to watch her get faster. Robbie Nuila is also a new addition, and we are so excited to have him. Robbie's experience racing, and lots of summer miles, helped him to break up the Couer D'Alene big dogs as he not only took 6th but raced a PR and finished 1st for the Braves. Morgan Dickinson held his own in the gritty JV race, where he got pushed around and boxed out. He wrapped up his race with an incredible kick to the finish that was celebrated by all of his team. Way to go Morgan!