Lovell harriers start strong at Billings Invitational

The Lovell High School cross country team got off to a strong start for the 2024 season Friday with some strong performances at the Billings Invitational, a meet always challenging due to typical August heat and the number of runners in the competition.

“It was a normal Billings cross country meet — very hot,” coach Caleb Sanders said. “I was really proud of how our runners supported our team. Even after their own races, our runners scrambled to get water and cheer on Lovell runners in the next race. It was encouraging to see so much unsolicited support coming from our team.”

Sanders ran three runners in the boys varsity race, and the trio held their own in the large and talented field at Amend Park.

Junior David Durfee was the top finisher for the Bulldogs, running a time of 18:36 to place 33rd out of 124 varsity runners.

“David ran a personal best 5K time,” Sanders noted. “His pacing is so much better than it ever has been, and he is proving to be a tough runner. I hope this race gives him confidence going forward. He is just running really good in both practices and races, and I am already excited to watch him race again this week.”

Senior Stetson Asay finished 75th in a time of 20:33, right on his time of 20:30 a year ago.

“The thing that stands out the most to me is how much improvement Stetson has made in practice from week one to week two,” Sanders said. “He is a little off his personal best, but I believe we will see him cut a lot of time.”

 Senior Thane Zollman showed tremendous improvement, finishing 114th in the varsity race but slashing nearly four minutes off his time by covering the course in 23:36.

Sophomore Sam Mayes placed 25th out of 165 runners in the junior varsity race and chopped a full minute off his freshman time at 20:41.

“Sam Mayes really stood out to me,” Sanders said. “I think that he really stepped up, and that is something we have challenged him to do in practice and meets. He ran 1:04 faster than he did on this course last year. His improvement is something that Coach (Bret) George and I are definitely going to watch, and we have keyed in on him this year. He is no longer a freshman.”

Junior Jay Mayes ran 23:03 (78th), junior Damian Wagner 23:07 (79th) and junior Jaxen Clark 23:14 (82nd). Junior Hugh Carpenter ran a time of 23:23 (87th) and freshman Gage Pillow 29:57.

“I look for our other runners to just keep improving — Jay Mayes, Hugh Carpenter, Jaxen Clark, Damian Wagner and Gage Pillow. These guys are going to help each other just get better,” Sanders said. “I noticed that Jaxen wasn’t too far off his personal best from last year.

“Damian ran in his first cross country meet, and he will just continue to get better. He is like a sponge when it comes to running. He picks up on things really well. Hugh has been very supportive of our team, and I love his leadership and willingness. Gage just got in his first high school race, so I am glad that is under his belt. I think he will make a nice improvement between his first and second races.”

Girls results

Sanders entered five competitors in the girls junior varsity race, and freshman Caylee Herman made a splash by finishing fourth out of 121 runners with a strong time of 23:48.

“This was Caylee’s first 5K race at the high school level,” Sanders said. “She tried to run even splits after running the first mile in 7:15, but it was difficult to do in the heat. She was our female runner of the week. She wants to improve and really pays attention to stats. I am really impressed with her maturity as a freshman.”

Junior Elana Schilthuis placed a solid 19th in her race with a time of 26:01, and freshman Juliette Caldwell ran 32:11 (88th), junior Atlee Sanders 33:16 (94th) and sophomore Candace Walker 35:14 (103rd).

“Elana ran her first cross country race ever and did a fantastic job,” Sanders noted. “She soaks it up, and I have no doubt that she will continue to get better with more experience. Juliette ran in her first (high school) race and was able to run the whole 3.1 miles. It is a step up from the two miles that they race in middle school.

“Atlee and Candace struggled some, but their experience should help them down the road.”

The Bulldogs will next compete in Ethete Friday for the Wyoming Indian High School Invitational, with running scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., followed by the Big Horn Invitational the following Friday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m.

The Lovell Middle School team will host the Lovell Invitational today (Thursday) at 4 p.m., then join the varsity squad in Big Horn the following week.