Lovell harriers battle the course at Lander

The Lovell High School cross country team traveled to Lander on Thursday to compete in the Lander Invitational. The course was scenic and beautiful but also one of the toughest tracks.

The course had a challenging hill that tested every runner’s endurance.

“The hill was so steep that, even coming down it, you had to use your muscles the whole way,” head coach Caleb Sanders said. “We came prepared for a tough course, and we’ll be back here again for conference, so it was good preparation.”

Varsity boys

David Durfee led the Bulldog boys with a strong performance, finishing eighth overall with a time of 18:43. His top 10 finish was a major highlight of the meet.

“It’s been a couple of years since we’ve had kids consistently placing in the top 10, and now we’re seeing that again,” Coach Sanders said. “David has really grown into that role for us.”

Other varsity results:

Owen Hill, 32nd, 21:23; Sam Mayes, 37th, 22:14; Hudsen Mickelson, 38th, 22:18; Jay Mayes, 40th, 22:50; Jaxson Clark, 42nd, 23:56.

JV boys

Isaac Sanders was the team’s third-fastest runner, placing 12th in 21:51 in the junior varsity division, with Oscar Garcia close behind in 22:04.

Other JV results:

Grant Rose, 19th, 23:04; Rick Jensen, 27th, 24:06; Gage Pillow, 47th.

The coaches are working to identify their top seven runners. Coach Sanders noted that, while times appeared slower compared to other courses, the athletes actually ran better on the challenging hill.

Varsity girls

Elana Schilthuis continued her outstanding season, running what Coach Sanders called “one of the best races we’ve seen in years from a Bulldog girl.” She started conservatively, sitting around 30th place early, then steadily moved up through the field. By the first mile, she had climbed into the top 10 and finished seventh with a personal-best 22:50.

“Elana is such a patient runner with great instincts,” Sanders said. “She’s beating kids who used to consistently beat her. This was her best race yet.”

Schilthuis was named Runner of the Week for her performance.

JV Girls results:

Kaylee Herman, 3rd, 27:12; Candace Walker, 4th, 28:35; Toree Herman, 7th, 29:25.

All three JV girls finished in the top 10.

The runners have spent the early part of the season learning their racing styles and experimenting with strategies, Sanders said, noting, “As we get closer to regionals, we are focusing on improving the little things like hydration, cool-downs and recovery.”

The Bulldogs will race again this Friday in Worland on a flatter golf course. Varsity and JV girls will run together at 3 p.m., followed by the combined boys race at 3:30.