Maidens, Chiefs hit ground running
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RONAN — Despite injuries that kept several athletes from competing, the Ronan cross-country team put up some good numbers while hosting the season-opening Canal Bank Run last Friday. In the team standings, the Ronan girls were first, and boys third.
Freshman Jacey Probst was the first runner in for the Maidens in 24:44, followed by Angela North Piegan and Kiana Howell.
“I knew (Probst) would be in our top five girls somewhere,” head coach Noelle Decker said. “She is a determined and competitive young runner who is only going to get better each race. She has no idea of her capabilities, and I think we will see her take quite a bit of time off each week here at the start of the season.”
As the most experienced runner on the team, Howell gets stronger as the season progresses, Decker said, and she expects that to be the case again this year.
Decker said North Piegan has also stepped up as a team leader. “(North Piegan) ran all last spring and summer, and it has really shown early on,” she said. “Last year she was usually one of our last runners and now she is taking on a leadership role showing some real fortitude.”
The Ronan boys finished third behind Hamilton and Frenchtown. Danny Romero was the Chiefs’ first finisher and is running himself into shape as expected, Decker said.
“Romero just works so hard at practice, and that work ethic always pays off for him come the end of the season,” she said.
Zach Wagner and Payton Adams, both seniors, also joined the team this year.
“These two young men have provided an unexpected boost to the team, because I didn’t know until the first of the season that they were even coming out,” Decker said. “They are two very talented young athletes and the addition of them will pay high dividends come end of the season.”
Nine Ronan athletes were sidelined for the Canal Bank Run due to injuries, but the roster includes 11 boys and 11 girls.
“I really am looking forward to seeing what both the girls and boys can put together come the third week in October,” Decker noted. “We have enough kids that are hungry for those top varsity slots, and it’s going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out. Most importantly, we have to be having fun while we are doing it.”
Girls
Jacey Probst, 24.44
Angela North Piegan, 24.50
Kiana Howell, 25.22
Jade Gray, 26.47
Darian Delaurenti, 29.36
Sam Coleman, 31.28
Boys
Danny Romero, 18.19
Zach Wagner, 19.16
Jaden McNair, 19.57
Payton Adams, 20.19
Jarred Dupuis, 21.40
Rhett Duffey, 23.09
Trae Garcia, 23.10
(Editor’s note: Information on sporting events and game statistics are provided by individual coaches.)
