Cross country gets tested early

ATHOL – Cross country runners from 42 schools competed at the Timberlake Farragut Invitational Saturday, with Priest River’s Brayden Lamanna finishing 20th of the 223 runners with a 5,000-meter time of 16 minutes and 48 seconds, the Bonner County Daily Bee reported.

The course is challenging, Newport coach Morgan Johnson says.

“This is going to be the hardest and slowest course these athletes run this year,” Johnson says. “The fact this was also their first race, I’m really happy and impressed with their results and look forward to the season to come.”

For the Newport varsity, Tanner Rheinford ran a personal record time of 21:35.25. John Spring turned in a 23:17.52 time. For the girls varsity, Sophia Peaker ran a 27:1.90 time followed by Olivia Collins at 27:13.07.

Boys junior varsity runner Donovan Mason had a 25:24.25 time. Caydin Hoisington ran a 29:17.52 and Daniel Meiner ran a 34:14.81 for the JV.

Runners will go to the Bonners Ferry Invite Saturday, Sept. 14, that starts at 9 a.m.