Tonasket cross country runner Emmy Hickman crossing a bridge on the Colville Course on Saturday, Oct. 17. Hickman finished the 5,000 meter course in 23rd place with a time of 23:13. Submitted by Bob Thornton

COLVILLE – The Tonasket cross country runners who competed in the Colville meet this season ran their best times for a 5,000 meter race.

Earlier in the week, the teams first competed at the Republic Invite on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Head coach Bob Thornton said the course was a hilly 3.1 mile true cross country course that included grass, dirt and sand hills.

For the boys, Jake Hickman came in fifth place at 20:05, Matt Gschiel came in ninth at 20:35, Peter Williams came in 11th at 21:16, Spencer Podkranic came in 16th at 22:04 and Barry Pentz came in 21st at 23:30.

For the girls, Jessica Spear came in second at 24:04, Michelle Carlson came in fourth at 25:33 and Emmy Hickman came in fifth at 26:12.

The middle school runners competed on a 1.5 mile course. For the boys, Adam Halvorsen came in seventh at 11:12, David Moreno came in eighth at 11:29, Joaquin Polito came in 12th at 12:16 and Abe Podkranic came in 26th at 14:44.

For the girls, Kathryn Cleman came in third place at 11:44, Norma Ornelas came in fourth at 12:49, Sarah Green came in fifth at 13:30 and Elizabeth Jackson came in seventh at 14:38.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the teams went to Colville for the Colville Invitational.

“I didn’t run anyone who was sick, hurting, hunting or taking tests, so in high school, we only ran three boys and two girls,” Thornton said. “Those that did run, ran their best times for 5,000 meters this year.”

For the girls, E. Hickman came in 23rd with a time of 23:13 while Carlson came in 30th at 23:58. For the boys, J. Hickman came in 30th at 19:11, Podkranic came in 40th at 19:52 and Williams came in 41st at 20:04.

The middle school runners once again ran on a 1.5 mile course. For the boys, Halvorsen came in 11th at 13:24 while for the girls, Green came in sixth at 15:03 and Jackson came in 11th at 16:17.

“All the coaches are worried about what the flu is going to do to us,” Thornton said. “How we or anyone does at the league and district meets is going to depend on who is healthy. Those that we have are getting stronger and better each race.”

Thornton added that he’s especially please with how well the middle school did this year and said he is already looking forward to next year.

The Caribou Trail League Meet is on Thursday, Oct. 22 beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Chelan Course.