Unruh off to solid start for Rocky Mountain harriers

A skeleton crew represented the Rocky Mountain High School cross country team at the season-opening Billings Invitational Friday with one runner nursing an injury, another attending a family event and a third not having enough practices under his belt to compete.

The top performer for the Grizzlies was the lone male competitor for RMHS, sophomore Zach Unruh, who finished 35^th in the junior varsity race in a time of 21:32.4.

“That wasn’t his PR, but it was 10 seconds better than he ran at State,” head coach Tim Jones said. “Temperatures were good. It was good weather for running for the most part.

“He’s working hard and doing a good job. I think he’ll continue to improve.”

Senior Evynn Alvarez finished 68^th in the women’s JV race in a time of 28:15.8.

“That’s almost two minutes faster than she’s ever run at the Billings meet in her fourth year,” Jones said. “That’s a good start of the season for her.”

Sister Ellie Alvarez finished 100^th in a time of 30:53.

“We’ll have more kids running this week in Hardin,” Jones said.

The Grizz will compete at the Hardin Invitational Friday at 10 a.m. Varsity and junior varsity divisions will be offered.