Malta X-Country in mid-season form

Last year the M-ettes Cross Country team got a boost. A boost by the name of Sophia Stiles. Stiles, a freshman last year is back and 11th year Coach Thea Solberg has no doubt that Stiles can repeat or improve her seventh place standing at state.

Stiles' time in the three mile run was 19.49, in a race where time mattered.

The only run that is officially measured by the Montana High School Sports Association is the state run, whereas other races aren't always three miles on the dot.

Though Stiles had a stellar year, she is definitely not alone. The team has 12 runners this year, after having 11 last season.

The injury bug hit the M-ettes as they lost four girls to injury.

Josie LaFond returns as the team's lone senior. She will try to make strides this year after missing most of last year due to injury.

"She's coming off of a knee injury, so we're really glad to have her back," said Coach Solberg.

Juniors Marley Manoukian and Hailey Nicholson have been running with the team since their freshman year, giving them the most experience in races.

Manoukian pairs well with LaFond and both have a personal best of 21:29.

Marley and Josie have twin times," said Coach Solberg. "Their fastest time was ran at Fort Peck a couple of years ago, when Josie was running."

She went on to say that they complement each other well at practice.

She also said that Hailey Nicholson has shown tremendous improvement, using her long stride to keep up in high positions at practices.

Fellow junior Jenise Amestoy is coming off of an impressive season with the Malta Swim team and through swimming is another form of cardio, it may translate to running.

Sophomore Eva Harms really showed up at the end of last year as she eventually posted a time faster than Manoukian, who is the team's number two runner.

Jada Nicholson is coming along and should improve upon her times from last year.

New additions for the sophomore class are Mariah Green Salveson and Sarah Ware.

The team's freshman runners are TaChante Cole, Joanie Sjostrom and Monicha Williamson.

"It's early but Joanie has been running up in the top half of the group at practices," Coach Solberg said.

It's hard to know how their season will go so early, but based on practice runs, a few athletes have surpassed their times from last year, including Nicholson.

"I don't think they are at their best now because it's early in the season and they're still conditioning and getting used to running," said Coach Solberg.

The meet that the team is looking most forward to is the Fort Peck race (Glasgow), where the track is fast and flat.

This allows most runners to post their fastest times of the year.

"It's right at mid-season and it's the perfect time to get your confidence up," Coach Solberg said.

She went on to say that the following week is the ultra-competitive Havre meet which will push the team as they get closer to tournament races.

"One of the reasons why a lot of people come out for cross country is because it is a great sport to condition athletes for other sports," Coach Solberg said.

According to Solberg, another reason that girls join is simply because they love running.

She also emphasized that cross country is a race and not just a "fun run."

"It's an endurance sport and it is tough but you can have fun with it," Solberg added.

Another perk to running cross country is the fact that you have accomplished something an average Joe can't.

"It doesn't matter how slow or fast you are, everybody claps for you, because once you cross that finish line you are a hero," said Coach Solberg. "In the realm of things there's so few people that can go out and succeed at a three mile race."

DATE EVENT SITE TIME

Aug. 18 First Day of Practice Malta HS TBA

Aug. 30 Poplar Invitational Poplar TBA

Sept. 6 Wolf Point Invitational Wolf Point TBA

Sept. 13 Malta Invitational Malta 10:00

Sept. 20 TBA

Sept. 27 Glasgow Invitational Fort Peck TBA

Oct. 4 Havre Invitational Havre TBA

Oct. 11 Plentywood Invitational Plentywood TBA

Oct. 15 Harlem Invitational Harlem TBA

Oct. 26 State Meet Helena TBA