Dodson headed to State

The Dodson Coyotes Cross Country team is heading to the State C Meet in Kalispell this weekend. The team is scheduled to run at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 24.

The Coyotes were able to squeeze in one final regular-season meet of the year as they attended the Nemont Invitational on Thursday, October 15.

During the meet, Melony Fetter posted a personal best of 25:04 and teammate Jean Jackson posted a time of 40:43. Because Jackson hadn't previously qualified for the state meet, she will miss out on this year's state meet.

"We had high hopes that Jean was going to be able to qualify for state at this meet," Dodson Coach Tianna Bloomer said. "Which she would have, but she ended up missing a turn and having to backtrack which added too much time on for her to qualify."

As a consolation, Jackson will be joining the team at state as their photographer this weekend, a title that Jackson is excited about according to Coach Bloomer.

Fetter, a senior ran in her final regular-season meet in ten seasons. She will joined with Sophomores Lindsey Fetter and Emma Cole at state.

Coach Bloomer said that the team is concerned with COVID-19 exposure, but that the team will be taking extra caution.

"We are going to take advantage of all of the delivery services and limit our time and exposure to anywhere with lots of people," Coach Bloomer said. "They have done well with the masks and staying on or near the bus. Mostly they are dreading the not so nice weather that we will be encountering."

Coach Bloomer also hopes that the conditions for running are more ideal than the 2019 State Meet, which included four inches of snow in Great Falls.

The team also welcomed freshman Michael Turnsplenty, who will be in attendance at the meet.

"He has great potential for the years to come and this should be a good experience for him," Coach Bloomer said.

This week, the team will try acclimating to the cold weather without getting sick, according to Coach Bloomer. She also said that they will be working on encouraging each other.

"This has been an interesting season and I am thankful for how much we were able to compete and travel," Coach Bloomer said. "We have been lucky so far and I hope that luck continues as we travel to Kalispell. I also hope that our roads to get there aren't awful."