Runners Take Scenic Route

Prep cross country

There are several principles prescribed to a cross country course for it to be challenging.

The second-annual Schweitzer Mountain Invitational was perhaps overdosed Saturday morning.

The 5-kilometer gauntlet features an abundance of folding switchbacks through bright green vegetation, and steeply-graded trails. However, nature furnished an icing of cold weather, thunder, brisk winds and rain to slicken the way, and lift the difficulty level.

“It (the course) has a uniqueness,” said longtime Sandpoint coach Cheryl Klein, who designed the race last year. “The fact is, we have this mountainous area and resort. It’s something the runners will remember as their greatest challenge. That’s what cross country is all about.”

The meet brought scores of high school runners from the area to test the course.

Sandpoint coach Mike Flaim said the coaches like the course for the elevation, serving as a preliminary to the state meet in Pocatello (5,000 feet above sea level). Although, Flaim said Schweitzer is special. “It’s the toughest all year,” Flaim said. “A classic cross country race in terms of difficulty.”

In boys’ action, Lake City senior Charlie Miller, surpassed David Larimer of Libby late in the race for the win. Apparently Miller used some amateur forecasting skills to pace himself to his 19 minute, 20 second win over the 50 other competitors. “I knew that he (Larimer) went out too fast,” said Miller, a top prospect for the state championship. “It was cold. I figured I would hang back.”

Evidently Larimer took a stride off course, and Miller attacked near Hermit’s Hollow, which sits below the 300-meter climb until the course levels for about 400 meters.

Sophomore Nicolle Cutter of Post Falls took the girls title over 38 runners with an uncontested win in a time of 24:06. Cutter led the entire way, edging two-time regional champ Nicole Maloney of Sandpoint (24:17).

“I knew Nicole was going to be the tough one for me,” said the 15-yearold Cutter, who was one of the few who improved her time since last year (40 seconds). “Mentally, it’s keeping your head in it, and keeping the weather out of your mind. This will probably be my toughest varsity race.”

Jason Kuntz led Post Falls with a 19:52, helping the Trojans to seal the team title. Coeur d’Alene took second.

Coeur d’Alene won the girls competition with Post Falls second.

The event brought about 100 enthusiastic spectators to the resort. Despite the slim chance of athletes breaking records, or even running their best race on the grueling course, Klein said it’s a favorite among the kids and the fans.

“We first of all looked at the terrain to provide scenery for the spectators,” Klein said. “(You can) literally stand on the deck of the lodge and watch the progress of the race.”