Rocky runners race to season-best times in Powell

The Rocky Mountain High School cross country team took advantage of a fast, flat course in Powell last week, with every runner posting his or her best time of the season as the Grizzlies prepare for Friday’s regional meet in Burlington.

Head coach Gerry Burton said the growth of the young team has been one of the most encouraging parts of the season. With the runners healthy and improving at the right time, Burton said the Powell meet offered a strong indication of what Rocky Mountain can do entering the postseason.

“It was amazing,” Burton said. “Every single runner had a PR.”

The weather was not ideal by the time the high school races began. Burton said temperatures climbed into the middle 80s after cooler conditions for the middle school races. Still, he likes the Powell course because it is fast and flat, giving runners an opportunity to produce strong times.

Sophomore Rowan Hanusa led the Rocky Mountain varsity boys, placing 36th in 19 minutes, 6 seconds. It was an overall personal record by about 30 seconds and another step forward.

“He’s getting stronger every week,” Burton said. “He works really hard in practice.”

Burton said Hanusa has stepped into a leadership role on a young boys team that includes several freshmen. “He’s the team leader,” Burton said. “He steps up.”

Freshman Jason Unruh was next for the Grizzlies, placing 51st in 20:34. His performance was another personal record, and he continues to move closer to breaking the 20-minute mark.

Junior Ethan Haslem finished 67th in 22:34. Burton said Haslem felt good throughout the race and ran well from start to finish.

“He ran well the whole way,” Burton said. “He felt really good.”

The coach also praised the way his runners finish races, an important trait as the team prepares for a course that may present new challenges in Burlington.

“Their finishes are outstanding,” Burton said.

Freshman Tristan Kerchner ran 24:36, a personal record that reflected a smart race plan. Burton said Kerchner’s goal was to stay in contact with Haslem for as long as possible, knowing that closing the gap to a runner in the 23-minute range could pull him into the 24s.

Kerchner kept Haslem within about 100 yards through much of the race before falling back during the final mile, but his result still marked a significant step forward.

Freshman James Demers also continued his improvement, running 25:41 for a personal record. Burton said Demers has been dealing with tight and sore muscles in his calves and thighs but is beginning to get healthy again. He has pushed hard in practice, sometimes to the point that his coach has had to tell him to stop and recover.

“He’s trying to find his pace for what he needs to do,” Burton said.

Freshman Derek Hedges rounded out the boys group with a personal record 26:13. Burton said Hedges had struggled badly in his previous race, when runner fatigue affected him, and he was nearly at the 30-minute mark. His Powell performance showed that he is returning to where he needs to be.

Rocky Mountain senior Avery Thomas was the Grizzlies’ lone girls runner in Powell, placing 32nd in 22:27. Thomas is closing in on her overall personal record of 22:19, a time she set while competing for Lyman High School as a sophomore.

Last season, injuries limited Thomas’ running. This fall, Burton said, she is healthy, running well and eager to lower that mark.

“She’s really looking forward to breaking her original PR,” Burton said. “I think she’ll get that. It’s only eight seconds.”

Thomas has a strong opportunity to earn all-conference recognition Friday, Burton said. If she can shave another 10 to 15 seconds from her time at the state meet, he believes she has a chance to contend for all-state honors, as well.

“She’s taken a lot of team ownership as a senior,” he said.

The Grizzlies will compete Friday at Burlington’s new regional course, with races beginning at the Burlington High School football field. The girls race is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by the boys at 11:30 a.m.

Rocky Mountain will face Arapaho Charter, host Burlington, Fort Washakie, Thermopolis, Wind River and Wyoming Indian. After a full-team day of personal records in Powell, the young Grizzlies head to Regionals healthy, confident and peaking at the right time.