Blackhawks Finish Season Strong at State Meet

HELENA – The Blackhawks took to the course a final time this cross country season at the State Cross Country Meet in Helena Oct. 21. The seven runners for the boys placed eighth among the C Schools and the sole Lady Blackhawk Jayla Kauffman ran a personal record. While times were slower than last year due to the smoke and injuries, Head Coach Zelda Haines was proud of everyone's grit and determination to finish the season strong.

Kauffman traded with Ellie Smith from Richey-Lambert the entire race until the end where Kauffman out kicked her to the finish. Kauffman ran a 26:19. She was nearly two and half minutes faster than her time from the City 7 of 7 Invitational on the same course two weeks ago. She finished 54 out of 86.

Haines said Kauffman has continually improved this season. Her stride and attack of the hills were much better the second time on the Helena course.

The boys all started out running in a pack and were going to try to run together for the race. While they stayed together for a while, they spread out by the end.

Logan Maughan led the Blackhawks with a 19:39 finish, 31st of 126 runners. Even though this was slower than his personal record (PR) of 19:30 that he set before he was injured in football, Haines was happy to see a steady mile pace of 6:20.

Logan Robinson followed Maughan finishing in 20:05, a 30 second PR for him from the Helena race two weeks ago. Robinson finished 38th in the Class C schools.

Cameron Haines was the next Blackhawk to cross the finish line in 47th place. Despite running on a sore foot he still finished in 20:23. Haines said he was with Robinson almost the entire race until the last mile.

Caleb Maughan and Cordell Turner hung together for most of the race trading places. In the end, Maughan overtook Turner finishing in 20:40, one second faster than Turner. They placed 55th and 58th in the race.

Maughan was just cleared to run after taking the last two weeks off due to a concussion. This was Turner's best race by more than two minutes. He has been unable to complete the last couple races due to breathing issues.

"I thought that was really good," said Haines.

Lane Mackie-Wendel shaved more than a minute and a half off his race two weeks ago in Helena finishing in 23:35 taking 99th. Haines said he really responded to his teammate Jayla Kauffman cheering him on.

Levi Reinitz who has continued to break his own record meet after meet, set a new PR again at the state meet. He ran a 24:08 a full minute and 10 seconds faster than the last time he ran the course. He came in 107th.

Haines said this is one of the toughest courses they run because of the hills and the wind was cold and gusty.

"This was big because this was the first time I've ever had seven boys in a race before," said Haines. "This was supposed to be our year but with injuries and smoke it didn't happen."

Haines lamented the six weeks that they couldn't run due to the Rice Ridge Fire. They also weren't able to run up on Rice Ridge or Archibald Loop at a higher elevation.

Manhattan Christian won the state title for Class C Boys. West Yellowstone swept the Class C Girls title taking three of the top five places.

Haines said the severe wind "made spaghetti of [the Blackhawks] tent." The tent is destroyed.

Dena Turner would like to organize some fundraisers to help purchase another tent for the athletes to use for track. If any teacher, parent or student would like to help in any fundraiser or idea to raise money they are encouraged to contact Turner at Good Times, find her on Facebook or call 210-0657.