Running Scotties Settle for Second in Fort Peck

A soft September breeze whistled through Fort Peck as young men and women, bedecked in myriad, wild-colored singled, lined up across the Kiwanis Park grass. They crouched low, awaiting the starting pistol's crack. The Scottie boys, riding a three-meet first place streak, and the Scottie girls, on a two-meet run of their own, gritted their teeth, determined to hold fast to the attitude of invincibility through self-improvement which has defined their season thus far.

"It was a fast one," said senior Alex Simensen. "And it was hot out."

Emily and Julia Kolstad raced to identical 21:27 times and took 12-13; Simensen (22:13) and Morgan Guttenberg (22:36) followed in 17th and 18th. Rounding out the scorers was Faith Sallee, who came 22nd with a time of 22:47. The five's 82-point total was good enough to stave off third-place Sidney by 4 and fourth-place Malta by 8, but fell far short of challenging victorious Miles City's 40. 

Gabe Hallock led the way for the boys, finishing 6th overall at 17:19. Perennial speedster Walker Allen broke the tape fifteen seconds later, good for 10th. Ellis McKean (17:39; 11th), Braden Meland (18:07; 13th), and Merlin McKean (18:23; 20th) accounted for the team's final three qualifying times.

"It was my best time so far this season," said senior Braden Meland, "so I was pretty happy with my race."

The cushion between Glasgow and third-placed Sidney sat at a comfortable 33 points; the Scotties' 60-point total, however, slotted them 25 points behind winners Glendive.

"There weren't as many teams this year," Meland said, "but the teams that came were good." Glendive is a Class A school.

The team travels to Havre Oct. 3, and are bent on reestablishing their winning ways.

"The girls are still trying to cut time off and move the pack up," said Simensen.

Adds Meland: "We've had a pretty strong start to the year, but there's always room for improvement."

Full Results

Glasgow Invitational

Varsity Boys

6 Gabe Hallock 17:19

10 Walker Allen 17.34

11 Ellis McKean 17:39

13 Braden Meland 18:07

20 Merlin McKean 18:23

25 Chase Hughes 18:55

31 Ethan Jamba 19:11

Team Scores

Glendive 35

Glasgow 60

Sidney 93

Harlem 123

Miles City 136

Wolf Point 197

Poplar 213

Plentywood 224

JV Boys

 2 Cade Myrick 18:33

4 Shane Sinclair 19:19

5 Logan Gunderson 19:20

7 Colin Jamba 19:24

14 Colton Pewitt 20:34

15 Tanner Overby 20:51

26 Jordan Billingsley 25:35

Varsity Girls

12 Emily Kolstad 21:27

13 Julia Kolstad 21:27

17 Alex Simensen 22:13

18 Morgan Guttenberg 22:36

22 Faith Sallee 22:47

29 Mary Fewer 23:28

30 Brinlie Nielsen 23:36

Team Scores

Miles City 40

Glasgow 82

Sidney 86

Malta 90

Froid/Medicine Lake 150

Poplar 157

Dodson/Whitewater 253

JV Girls

2 Alaina Sallee 24:39

11 Kaylee King 27:30

15 Alexus Nistler 28:36

20 Andrea Hansen 33:52

Next: Havre Invitational, Oct. 3