The Flathead girls cross-country team, competing for their third state championship in four years, went on to win convincingly at the Bill Roberts golf course in Helena on Saturday - finishing five runners in the top 12.
For the Braves, senior Shane Ackerly took first place with a time of 15:40, making him just one of three runners in Flathead's history to win state individually.
The Braves finished third overall.
The Bravettes performance was "awesome," said coach Paul Jorgensen. "It compares well to the team in 1991. We had five in the top 12 too. But the team this year was packed closer better."
The Bravettes have dominated AA schools the entire season and they were the favorites coming into state. Their score of 41 was well ahead of second place Helena Capital, with 85 points.
"We expected it," said senior Kelly Hayden of the team title.
Sophomore Lauren Keithly agreed, saying, "It wasn't as big a surprise this year."
Five girls finished in the top 15 to receive all-state honors: Lauren Keithly, third, 18:53; Kelly Hayden, seventh, 19:14; Amber Arvidson, ninth; 19:22; Kari Hill, tenth, 19:27; and Hanni Buettner, twelfth; 19:31.
"Most of the girls improved since the meet two weeks before (on average by 20 seconds)," said Jorgensen. "I was most impressed with (Hanni) Buettner. She improved by more than a minute."
The Braves third-place total of 89 points was behind second place Helena High with 79 points and first place C.M. Russell, 70.
"We didn't have quite enough depth (this year)," said Jorgensen of the Braves.
Brett Winegar, one of Flathead's top runners, suffered a cold that caused him to miss most of the week of practice leading up to state. Winegar still finished the race, but placed 48th.
"It would have been real close between us and CMR," said Jorgensen of the team's chances with a healthy Winegar, adding, "those kind of things happen."
Shane Ackerly's first place wraps up his successful high school cross-country career. His confidence and composure were evident before the race began. Rival CMR was the pre-race favorite for the overall title, but Ackerly knew he would have something to say about that. Written on the heels of his shoes was 'Hi CMR'.
"Shane is very strong-willed," said Jorgensen. (As for his running) "he's always been good. His top quality is his determination."
Also earning all-state was sophomore Justin Pitts who finished fourth in 15:58.
"My ultimate goal was to place in the top ten," said Pitts of his chances before the meet. "If I had my best race, I thought I might take sixth."
For the last decade, the Braves and especially the Bravettes cross-country teams have made winning a tradition here at Flathead. Don't be surprised to see them at the top next year too.
Said Ackerly: "The time doesn't matter, it's the place that counts."