Flathead cross country is a program deep in tradition, but never before has the team reached the level of 1997, when it was ranked 24th nationally the highest Flathead has ever been. Yet Flathead could move up in the ranks nationally after a strong showing at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships Dec. 6 in Fresno, Calif. The running magazine Harrier comes out with new rankings on Dec. 22. I think we knew our ranking depended on our performance (in Fresno), said senior Kevin Murphy. I think well be moving up in the rankings. This was the first time a Flathead program has accomplished a Top 25 ranking. The Flathead boys set a new Class AA record last month at the state meet in Helena, by recording a score of 26 and notching five runners in the top 10. Flathead hopes to surpass the previous highest ranking by a Montana team (CMR girls reached 17) when the new rankings come out, said Murphy. In Fresno, Murphy came away with the top time in the senior race with a time 16:30 and Nick Hanson finished 4th with a time of 16:46. Freshman David Vidal charted a time of 16:43 for a fifth place finish in his respective class race. It went better than I imagined, said Murphy. (It was) definitely one of my best efforts of the year. Flathead also had three runners compete in the prestigious seeded race. Junior Brett Winegar finished only 33 seconds behind the winner for a 27th place finish. Sophomore Kevin Clary finished 53rd with a time of 16:22. State Champion sophomore Amber Arvidson was 37th on the girls side. I was happy with how I ran, said Winegar. My goal was to be in the top 30. Flathead will return five of seven runners next fall along with a strong pack of girls, including Arvidson who was the individual state champion and three-year letter winners Jane Berry and Hanni Buettner. I think this is a good thing, said Flathead coach Paul Jorgenson. It will motivate the kids now for next year. |
