Alberta Newspaper Group Photo by Justin Seward
Hat High's Truman Bartman paces himself on the last stretch of the six kilometre run during the 16th annual Talons' Invitational at Echo Dale Regional Park on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019.
Edit: The original version of this story incorrectly stated the date of high school cross country provincials. It is Oct. 19.
With the school cross country season in full swing, 204 athletes hit the trails at Echo Dale Regional Park Saturday for the Talons Invitational.
With age divisions from Grade 1 to 12 plus open men’s and women’s categories, the wide range of runners got going before any of the weekend’s snow hit. Some cooler weather was the biggest challenge, as well as the courses themselves.
Hat High’s Maggie Carrier won the senior girls division in a time of 29:33, almost two minutes ahead of Eagle Buttes Azlin Ferguson. In senior boys it was Aiden Good of Carstairs finishing in 22:56, exactly two minutes better than Habib Habib.
From intermediate girls, Lacombe’s Jenica Swartz took first place in a time of 23:18, 1:42 better than Ayla Wikjord of Ecole Les Cypres. Lacombe’s Rylan Conrad won intermediate boys in 16:02, 2:42 ahead of Tofik Said.
Kiera Greidanus won a much closer junior girls race, with Crescent Heights Georgia Herter 18 seconds back. Elsami Rosamolina beat teammate Tyson Versteeg for the junior boys crown, his 15:40 just four seconds in front.
The high school runners are gearing up for zones and provincials, both of which Echo Dale is hosting this year. The South Zone meet takes place next Wednesday, with provincials Oct. 19.
In other results, Robyn Harrington won open women over Tara McWilliams, while Mitch Young beat Jacob Krueger for the open men’s title.
Younger grade winners were: Hannah Kozakewich (Grade 8/9 girls, St. Marys), Sam Schick (Grade 8/9 boys, Schuler), Devyn Perrett (Grade 6/7 girls, Dr. Ken Sauer), Ryan Miller (Grade 6/7 boys, St. Marys), Megan Klein (Grade 4/5 girls, Panthers), Zaide Kolody (Grade 4/5 boys, RWLC), Lilly McWilliams (Grade 2/3 girls, Panthers), Orran Llott (Grade 2/3 boys, ELC), Olivia McWilliams (Grade 1 girls, Panthers) and Drake Greidanus (Grade 1 boys, GO).
