Lady Spartans claim first in front of home crowd at Ivan Benson Invite
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Junior Annika Rantala placed fourth overall at the Ivan Benson Invite last Thursday in Priest River.
PRIEST RIVER — The Priest River Lamanna High School girls cross country team didn’t disappoint in its only home meet of the season as they took first in the Ivan Benson Invite on Thursday, Sept. 26.
The Lady Spartans edged out Bonners Ferry by one point to claim victory. Priest River and Bonners Ferry were the only teams on the girls’ side that scored at the meet.
Junior Annika Rantala led Priest River with a fourth-place finish and a time of 21:50 on the 5k course.
Senior Sharnai Hogan came across the finish line in eighth with a time of 23:17 and senior Izzie Schmidt finished 11th.
Sophomore Erika Swoboda took 16th and freshman Lilly Freitas shined with a personal best 26:04 to finish right behind Swoboda in 17th.
Sophomore Ainslee Nordy rounded out the runners that competed with a 26:20 to secure 20th.
On the boys’ side, Priest River finished last out of the six teams that scored at the meet.
Junior Graden Hanes, and freshmen Dylan Lord and Ethan Korff crossed the line in 23rd, 25th and 26th respectively to lead the Spartans.
Sophomore Bradley Bennett took 41st, freshman Edgil Williams placed 43rd and freshman Keith Magers claimed 46th.
In an email, Priest River cross-country head Lance Clark said the Spartans have had a tough week of training due to injuries and sickness in preparation for competing in two meets in three days this week.
Priest River will take part in the Ben Castro Invite 4 p.m. Thursday at Pinehurst Golf Course before heading to the Bonners Ferry High School Invitational 9 a.m. Saturday at the BFHS track.