Local Runners Lag Behind At A-1 Championships

Cross country probably didn’t get its name from a jog in the backyard. Unless, of course, it was a sizeable backyard.

And Farragut State Park is no backyard.

So it was probably appropriate that runners from the southern and eastern regions of Idaho dominated the State A-1 boys and girls cross country championships Saturday at Farragut, since they traveled the furthest distance to compete.

Idaho Falls’ boys and Pocatello’s girls defended their championships under ideal conditions on the challenging 3.1-mile course overlooking Lake Pend Oreille.

The Tigers boys placed five runners in the top 18 as they posted 45 points. Runner-up Boise, led by individual champion Danny Powell, tallied 66 and Skyline finished a distant third with 121.

Pocatello’s girls, all underclassmen, scored 71 points. Boise challenged early before fading with 97 and Idaho Falls followed with 106.

The highest-placing North Idaho teams were Lake City’s boys (seventh) and Coeur d’Alene’s girls (ninth). The top finishing area runners were sophomores Charlie Miller (17th) of LC and Nicole Maloney (22nd) of Sandpoint. Both won Region I titles last weekend at Farragut.

Powell, Ryan Griffeth of Skyline (third) and three Idaho Falls runners led an aggressive early charge. Powell, who finished in a speedy 16 minutes, 41.43 seconds, pulled away from the lead pack after reaching the top of the final hill near the 2-1/2-mile mark.

Tyler Williams (16:42.64), a freshman from Centennial, overtook Griffeth (16:45.5) for second.

Idaho Falls’ victory was led by sophomore Ben Parker (fourth, 16:52.75) and juniors Brandon Briggs (fifth, 16:55.5) and Aaron Lyon (seventh, 16:56.69). Briggs finished second last year.

“It’s the best conditions we’ve raced in in three weeks,” said Idaho Falls coach Scott Miller, whose team captured the District VI title while running in three inches of snow.

The Tigers’ repeat championship was even more impressive than last year when their five runners finished in the top 22. Although they graduate two, there are plenty more talented Tigers on the farm.

“It’s a toughness test, that’s for sure,” Miller said of the all-terrain, hilly course. “But the kids loved the course. I’m tickled to death to travel two days to get here and race like we did.”

Third last year, Minico senior Sharlyn Maughan ran away to the individual girls title, finishing in 19:16.67, 24 seconds ahead of runner-up Susan Werner of Boise.

Maughan was concentrating on beating Werner, who defeated her at an invitational three weeks ago.

“The last time I ran against her I was really nervous,” Maughan said. “I just tried to relax and run my race.”

A pair of sophomores, Jessica McAleese and Rana Reavis, propelled Pocatello to victory. They finished third and fourth, respectively.

“They got a taste of winning last year and they don’t want to let that go,” Pocatello coach Deborah Reavis said.

And with no seniors on its team, Pocatello will be heavily favored to taste victory again next year.

How deep were the fields? LC’s Miller (17:21.2) and Sandpoint’s Maloney (21:03.45) both trimmed 3 to 4 seconds off their times from a week ago yet finished well behind the winners.

Both runners were pleased with their efforts - although the pace was so aggressive for Maloney that she felt like quitting near the top of the last hill.

“I did not feel good. It’s state and I was really nervous,” Maloney said.

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