October 16, 2013

Smith runs away with regional crown

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

Asha Smith is back in winning form and she put her stamp on that statement as she captured the regional title in the cross country regional meet in Bismarck on Saturday.
Smith ran the course at Bismarck’s McDowell Dam in a blistering 15:03 to outdistance all the other runners to become the first Watford City runner to become a regional champion in the past seven years.
“The girls team is working really hard and we are starting to see some great times,” stated Greg Brown, Wolves’ head coach.
While the girls team was again short of competitors, the team placed 10th at the regional meet with just three runners.
Also placing for the girls team was Addison Sundeen, 36th, in a time of 18:06 and Chelsea Cryer, 61st, in a time of 19:47.
The Watford City boys team also had a great showing at the regional meet with a fourth place finish.
“The boys are starting to gel and are getting dangerously close to becoming a top five team in the state,” states Brown. “Every meet we learn a little more about how to push ourselves even harder and they are working harder and harder in practice.”
Braedon Gumke and Michael Brown were the top two finishers for the Wolves with Gumke placing 16th in a time of 18:45, while Brown came in 18th with a time of 18:59.
Also placing on the boys team was Logan Gumke, 28th, 19:41; Osman Leon, 34th, 20:15; Dakota Garmann, 35th, 20:19; Dillon Smith, 39th,  20:27; Cole McGorman, 40th, 20:37; Jack Gillespey, 45th, 21:02; Trevor Alveshere, 55th, 23:09; Cody Kirkland, 56th, 23:15; and Hunter DeFoe, 61st, 23:42.
“I was extremely proud of the athletes,” states Brown. “They always come prepared to race and are working hard to get better.”  
The Wolves have now completed their regular season and will be competing in the State Class B Cross Country Meet in Valley City on Saturday, Oct. 26.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER