The Bulldog cross country team has entered the midway point of their 2016 season with a slew of meets, testing themselves three times, in a seven day span.
The busy week started with a trip south to Belle Fourche. Competing at one of the most hilly courses the Bulldogs will see, the Bulldogs responded.
The boys team captured 5th place behind strong performances from Mason Moran (17th) and Andrew Miller (20th). Brian Miller (23rd), Camden Wokal (24th), and Kamrin Madrigal (35th) rounded out the scoring for the Bulldogs.
The girls team claimed the team championship with a score of 26, as they placed all five runners in the top 20. Lacey Feist again led the Bulldogs in 5th place. Natalie Kempenich closed in behind her in 9th, and the Batholomay sisters (Mikayla 15th, Abi 19th) packed up with Alexius Miller (20th) to seal the victory.
The JV teams also saw success as Brooke Peterson paced the girls with a 6th place finish and Ethan Fischer led the boys with a 20th place finish. In the JH girls division, Kulseth and Vanessa Fischer teamed up for 7th and 9th place finishes. The boys JH team saw 7th grader Ben Knopp lead the pack in 56th, out of 137 runners.
On Saturday the Bulldogs traveled to Mandan to tangle with a majority of the west, including the WDA. What the lady Bulldogs got was a pleasant surprise as Hillsboro/Central Valley, the defending state champions since 2011, also competed. The Burros and the Bulldogs are currently the top two teams in class B polls. The showdown did not disappoint; the burros, defeated the Bulldogs by a mere 20 points, as both teams ended the day behind WDA powers, Minot, Bismarck Century, and Bismarck High. A familiar trend has developed as Feist led the ladies, followed by Kempenich, Miller, M. Bartholomay, and A. Bartholomay.
The boys team also tangled with statewide powers finishing in 10th place as a team, but behind only one class B school, New Town. Another day, and other leader for the boys, as this time it was Brian Miller’s turn to take the lead as he finished in 46th place. Behind Miller the pack was tight, Andrew Miller (52nd), Mason Moran (57th), Camden Wokal (63rd), Ethan Fischer (91st), and Austin Richard (107th) finished off the scoring.
In the sub varsity divisions, Brenna Wokal (41st) led the JV’s while Kulseth (17th) led the JH. On the boys side the JH team was spearheaded by Noah Wokal in 73rd.
Tuesday brought an end to the tumultuous week of racing, as the Bulldogs traveled north o face off with many of their West Region foes at the Watford City Invite. Nursing some injuries and illness, the Bulldogs were not at full strength. That predicament proved to be a positive as the Bulldogs had younger runners step up throughout the day to fill those voids. The lady Bulldogs continued their season long quest, as they placed all four runners in the top 20. Lacey Feist finished in 3rd, as Abigail Bartholomay (11th), led the rest of the pack; Mikayla Bartholomay (14th), Brooke Peterson (16th).
The Varsity boys team also used the pack running approach as Andrew Miller led the team in 12th place. Camden Wokal (13th), Brian Miller (14th), Kamrin Madrigal (15th), and Mason Moran rounded out the scoring.
In the JV divisions the Bulldogs also saw great success. Alexius Miller and Austin Richard captured individual titles in the girls and boys races. Behind them the Bulldogs captured four more top 20 positions. Becki Fuchs, and Quin McKitrick finished the girls race in 13th and 18th places, while Noah Wokal and Ben Knopp placed 12th and 17th.
The Bulldogs have earned some time off, and will be training hard for their next action on Saturday, Sept. 24 in Beulah at the Black Sands Invite.
