Rocky harriers gain runners as they compete at Big Horn

The Rocky Mountain High School cross country team gained three new runners last week as the Grizzlies competed at the Big Horn Invitational at the Big Horn Equestrian Center in Sheridan County.

The trio came out late and recently completed the number of practices necessary to compete.

Sophomore Sam Loyning was the top runner for the Grizzlies, placing 17th in the field of 55 runners in a time of 20:37.

Freshman Zach Unruh finished 30th in 21:27, and junior Dyami Rock came in 48th by running the course in 25:46. Freshman Cody Miller ran 26:05 for 52nd place.

“The Big Horn meet has a pretty long, gradual uphill course,” head coach Tim Jones said. “It looks flat, but it’s difficult. I felt like our kids for the most part managed it well. We’re improving.  Several kids had their first run of the year, so I expect that improvement to continue.

“This was Sam’s first meet, Zach and Dyami, too. We’re going to set new goals every week for all of them and try to bring it down a little at a time. Zach is gritty; he’s tough. Sam and Zach are both wrestlers. There’s a toughness that comes from taking your lumps in wrestling and giving lumps.”

Jones said Rock has been nursing an injury.

“Dyami has been a little bit injured, but I’m pretty pleased with his time on that course. He ran hard and is making good progress,” Jones said. “Cody wasn’t ready for the hill. He probably went out too fast. It’s a learning process.”

As for the Lady Grizzlies, senior Rebecca Herren didn’t run while nursing an injury, but both sisters Evynn and Ellie Alvarez competed. Evynn finished 36th in a time of 28:30, and Ellie came in 51st in 32:08.

“Evynn has a good attitude. It’s a pretty tough course, and she did a good job with it. I was very happy with her run.”

The high school portion of the Rocky Mountain Invitational at Foster Gulch Monday was cancelled, so the Grizzlies will next compete at the Lander Invitational today (Thursday) at the Lander golf course. Jones said all of the Rocky Mountain runners will compete in the junior varsity division, with running scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. with the
JV girls race, followed by the JV boys at 2:30.