Cats led by California transfer

The Columbia Falls boys took fifth and the girls took fourth at the Libby Invitational cross-country meet Saturday.

The boys were led by Sage Wanner who took seventh with a time of 16.02. He was followed by Glen Morden, who took 23rd with a time of 18:02.21 and Winfield West, 24th, 18:03.44. Gabe Knudsen clocked an 18:55.16, for 34th, Bryce Bennett ran a 19:43.76, for 37th, and Brendon Bennett ran a 21:36.93 for 44th.

Wanner recently moved here from Bakersfield, Calif.

"He's the real deal," coach Richard Menicke said.

On the girls' side, Raina Crowell led the Wildkats with a 21:03.72 for 15th, and Genny DeLorme took 16th with a 21:04.08. Lacey Johns with a 22:23.55, 26th, Hayley Peacock, 27th, 22:24.19, Raychel Hoerner, 28th, 22:24.92.

"The girls had a really good race," Menicke said. "Those were strong first race times."

The Wildcats were going to race in Cut Bank the day before, but rain canceled that meet.

The Libby meet was a rescheduled event, after smoke from wildfires canceled it the week before. The team travels to Ronan Thursday and then races in Missoula Saturday.