Ratzlaff leads Cats at Cut Bank Time Trials

The Columbia Falls cross-country squad had a strong showing at the Cut Bank Time Trials to open their season.

James Ratzlaff was the top runner for the boys with a time of 18:08.63, taking 16th place.

The Cats were pitted against some tough competition, including Class AA Flathead and CMR Great Falls.

“We had a great effort from everyone,” coach Richard Menicke said. “It was windy, hot and kind of smoky.”

Zayne Brunz was 19th with a time of 18:21.69, Seth McCall was 28th at 18:48.69, and freshman Glenn Mordan was 32nd at 19:21.08. Shon Roberts was 39th at 19:33.95 and Jayce Fagerland was 65th at 20.51.8.

On the girls side, Meredith Stolte and Tori Price took 22nd and 23rd respectively with times of 22:56.8 and 23:04.83. Carlee Brown was 30th at 23:34.01, and Brittany Swartz was 40th at 24.28.23. Rounding out the girls slots was freshman Sadie Panasuk, who ran a 25:14.27, good enough for 50th place.

The team travels to the Flathead Invitational on Saturday and then to Frenchtown on Sept. 12. With two meets so close, Menicke said the team will run the junior varsity race at Flathead, which is one of the biggest meets in the state, so they can focus on Frenchtown later in the week.