Coyotes Cross Country 2017

The Dodson Coyotes Cross Country isn't training for the basketball season this year. For them, it is state or bust.

The team formerly was under a cooperative agreement with Whitewater, forming the Harriers, but since Whitewater didn't field any runners this season, the Dodson Coyotes are back.

"Bruce will still be around," Coyotes Coach Tianna Bloomer said.

Bruce Warren of Whitewater was the Co-Coach of the Harriers but will be around the Coyotes for local events.

Coach Bloomer will be with her assistant coach Natacha Doney, who joined the team last season.

"What's really awesome about this year is that my assistant coach is Natacha Doney," Coach Bloomer said. "She was a cross country runner in high school and trained for marathons in her free time. She is a very huge asset to our team right now because she is very in tune with running. She knows technique, protocol and training so she's my main running coach."

In addition to having their old logo back, the team will look different as a unit this season, adding four runners and retaining two from the past season.

The team has two seniors, one junior, one sophomore and two freshmen.

Senior Marty LoneBear, a transfer student from Sherman Indian High School is an enthusiastic runner that will make a push for the Class C State Meet this season.

"He just came to Dodson and he has a passion for running and really wants to excel," Coach Bloomer said.

Jasper Doney will be in his third season with the team and he has impressed his coaches during practices.

"I think that he is doing really well," Coach Bloomer said. "He has gotten to the point where he doesn't have to stop, hardly ever and he just continues jogging through. I think that his time will improve quite a bit from last year."

Caleb Ditmar is a junior, who missed most of last season but he is back and determined to make an impact for the team.

Ditmar has been able to keep pace with Corbin LoneBear who is the lead runner for the Coyotes this season.

"Caleb and Corbain have been running together at practice every day," Coach Bloomer said. "They keep up with each other. Caleb is a really good runner and so is Corbin. Corbin I think will be our leader again this year. Caleb will be right on his tail though."

Coach Bloomer hopes that the duo will continue to push each other throughout the season.

Melony Fetter and Ireland Best make up the freshman class. They are also the lone girls on the team. Both girls play basketball but like the other runners, they hope to make it to state, rather than just get in shape for basketball.

"Ireland's goal is to make it to state," Coach Bloomer said. "She is driven and ready to do so by putting in the time and effort to make it to state."

After Fetter or Best post a time of 35:00, they will be eligible for the state meet in Helena.