Spartan harriers start season on the right foot

POST FALLS — The Priest River Lamanna High cross-country team is off and running with four Spartans attending their first meet of the season Saturday, Aug. 23 in Post Falls. Freshman Tadhg Mc-Laimtaig finished 24th in the boys’ freshmen/ sophomore race, clocking in at 13:40. Junior Daniel Gunkle was 27th in the junior/senior race at 13:01.

For the girls’ junior/ senior race Priest River junior Alannah Mc-Laimtaig placed 21st at 17:31. Classmate Breelyn Duran had a 31st place finish with a time of 19:36.

Only four Spartans competed this time around because athletes are required to attend 10 practices before they can compete. Practice for cross-country started Aug. 11.

There are 10 athletes on the roster so far this season. Including Priest River there were 11 schools that competed Aug. 23.

The course at Post Falls was 2 miles, not the 3.1 miles that is typical for cross-country.

“I think they all did well,” coach Krystal Barton said. “The course was two loops with a couple hills, shorter than usual. I think it’s a good start to the season.”

Between now and the Spartan’s next meet the team is focusing on hill training, intervals and speed training, according to Barton.

Coming up, Priest River heads to the Timberlake Invitational at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at Farragut State Park.

SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NEWSROOMS AT THE NEWPORT MINER AND RANGE MEDIA THROUGH A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. HER REPORTING IS AVAILABLE FOR USE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS WITH CREDIT.