Rocky Mountain Cross Country takes on the hills at Hardin

The Rocky Mountain High School cross country team tested themselves on one of the region’s most challenging courses last weekend in Hardin, Montana. Head Coach Tim Jones said he was encouraged by what he saw from each athlete.

“Hardin has a massive hill. Everyone fought hard on the front end of the race to get up it. I like the heart they showed,” Jones said. He added that the meet is a long-standing tradition for the program, dating back to when former coach John Bernhisel led the team. “We don’t see the same teams we usually face in the Big Horn Basin, and it’s a tough course that builds strength and courage for the rest of the year,” Jones noted.

Friday’s meet was held about 15 miles south of Hardin in the hills near the Little Bighorn Battlefield at Crow Agency, Montana. Rocky Mountain was the only Wyoming school in the field, joining nearly 30 Montana schools for a meet that drew more than 600 runners. Fortunately, the athletes enjoyed mild weather, with temperatures hovering around 70 degrees.

In such a large meet and with a roster full of younger athletes, all of the Grizzlies competed in the junior varsity races.

Coach Jones said that senior Evynn Alvarez “struggled a bit up the tough hill, then surged in the second half to pass several runners”, finishing 95th in 29:27. Her sister, Ellie Alvarez, continued her steady progress, clocking 30:52 for 100th place. “Ellie is a very consistent runner,” noted Jones.

In his first-ever high school race, freshman Rowan Hanusa turned in an impressive performance, taking seventh overall with a time of 20:39.

“I was really impressed with Rowan in his first high school race on such a demanding course,” Jones said.

Not far behind, Zach Unruh placed 12th in 20:49.

“Zach remains steady and hardworking, just as he’s been in practice,” Jones noted.

Freshman Ethan Haslem, also new to cross country, placed 33rd in 22:12. Jones praised his determination, saying he “ran with grit, feeding off the energy of his teammates.”

Overall, Coach Jones said he is pleased with where they stand. “It’s a really good, team-oriented group,” he noted, adding that the focus at practice will be on learning to push their limits.

The scheduled meet at Big Horn has been cancelled this week, so the Grizzlies will take a week off from competition before traveling to Lander on Thursday, September 18.