M-ette runners at State B

The Malta High School Cross Country Team participated in the wintry 2020 State Cross Country meet held at Rebecca Farm, an equestrian event facility in Kalispell on Friday, October 23.

The M-ettes placed 15th as a team with a total of 503. Broadwater won the meet with 59 points, followed by Manhattan who had 60, and Red Lodge who had 99.

M-ette senior Leslie Young ran her last race of her high school cross country career. She posted a time of 24:26.81. She gave it her all in the wintry conditions, saying it was pretty slick going up one of the hills. She had a tremendous kick at the end as she cruised down the last hill into the finish line area and finished a second ahead of a Poplar girl that she had been following for awhile. Not her best race, she was just happy to be done and had a big smile on her face. She had white eyebrows and eyelashes "and I have mascara running down my face!" she giggled.

Sophomore Kirsta Meisdalen, running her second state race in wintry conditions ran smooth and steady as she has been doing all season. She finished with a time of 26:03.42. She has been steadily improving over the season and finished with a great kick at the end and used the snowy hill to stretch out her stride and get ahead of a girl from Lincoln County just at the finish line. She was red faced from the cold but happy to be done and cheer on the rest of the team.

Freshman Madyson Warburton, running in her first state meet ran her second fastest race of the season over the snowy course. Her time was 28:45.60. She pushed forward and worked her way through the throngs of runners, and finished with a strong kick. She's been working very hard this season, slowly improving and gaining strength as the season progressed.

Sophomore Izzie Hallenberg ran in her second state meet with wintry conditions, working her way along the course, trying to survive and keep going despite the conditions that seemed to be getting worse as the race went on. She managed to post a time of 31:39.52, her fastest race of the season, cutting off 8 seconds from the previous week at Fort Peck with the flat paved course. That was really a great feat to accomplish and she was pleased with herself.

Sophomore Deion Lefdahl ran her first state race steadily and carefully, finishing with a good kick at the end. Her time was 35:02.21. She's struggled all season with a knee injury that plagued her and it was good to see her be able to finish out the season. She and Nikki ran together for quite a bit of the race, helping to encourage each other along.

Junior Nikki Nicholson ran the snowy slick race very carefully, having missed her sophomore season with a hip problem. Her time was 35:22.20. She's had some struggles with pain and getting back into condition. It's hard to miss an entire season and get back to where you were but she has been working hard and we were glad that she was able to finish out this season.

Despite the wintry conditions, everyone stepped up and took on the challenge, running over the slick snowy course and crossing the finish line without falling and completing an interesting sports season that presented many challenges with all the Covid-19 restrictions and changes. We are proud of all the athletes who made it through this memorable season; it's definitely been one for the record books.