State Cross Country Preview

Class AA Boys: On Saturday, the Flathead Braves will pursue their firt title since 2005, and will have strong competition from defending champ Bozeman and the two Helena schools. Freshman Zach Perrin and senior Leif Castren have been under 16 minutes this season to lead the Braves. Junior Jesse Bennett, who joined the team just this season, became a high placer but has been injured as of late. Senior Alec Surynt has been on the mend recently as well.

Glacier freshman Troy Fraley has had a standout season so far and looks to break into the top 15. The young Wolfpack is looking to improve on last year's ninth place finish. Richie Boyer, Aaron Murry, Mike Gordon, Flint Martino and Alex Reitzel have earned varsity placement this fall.

Class AA Girls: Glacier's Heather Fraley has turned it on this season and looks to finish in the top 10 at state again this year. Last year, Fraley placed eighth as a sophomore. Teammate Rachael Hart has put together a solid season as well and has all-state potential.

Flathead is led by Paige Bouma and Sierra Maxwell. Both girls have been under 20 minutes this fall. Rose Byrne and Cheyenne Cooke have sealed varsity spots for the Bravettes, who earned fifth last year and have a shot at grabbing a trophy.

Heidi Turner and the Bozeman girls won last year.

Class A Boys: Columbia Falls returns four of its top five runners from last year's second-place team and has its eyes on the top prize in Saturday's race. Senior Pascal Jessat, who placed ninth at state last year, is hot off a first-place finish at last week's divisionals, followed closely by brothers Shawn Whitman, fourth last year, and Justin Whitman. Derrick Williams and Pascal Jessat round out the top five for the Wildcats.

Last year, Hamilton won as a team with 77 points, but graduated three of its top four runners.

Whitefish is led by junior Nathan Knox, who placed fifth at divisionals, and freshman Jace Kalbfleisch, who took ninth.

Last year's individual winner, Drew Coco, is gone from Whitefish's lineup, which leaves the title up for grabs.

Class A Girls: The two-time defending champion Whitefish girls have already had a few hurdles to clear this season due to injuries and sickness, but Bill Brist's crew appears ready to defend. Divisional champ Bailey Eaton, a junior, has stepped up as Whitefish's top runner all season long and will battle for a top spot at state. Eaton placed 15th last year, but this season has dropped over half a minute off last year's time. Senior Loni Hanson, who won state as a sophomore and placed fifth last season, has also been running personal best times this season. Rounding out the Bulldogs teams is junior Jessica Sagen, who placed fourth at divisionals, junior Carly Schwickert, who placed fifth, and senior Hannah Weaver, seventh. Also joining the title chase is junior Jackie Cassidy, who was a runner-up at state last year but has been injured until recently.

Polson junior Mesa Starkey has placed in the top five at state the past two years, earning third last year, and will make a chase for the top spot. At divisionals, Starkey finished second.

Libby senior Nikola Falk earned sixth at divisionals.

Class B Boys: Bigfork's Bridger Mahlum will look to break into the top 15 at state.

Class B Girls: Bigfork senior Kayla Carlson is finishing her standout career on Saturday and has a shot at earning a top spot in the finale. Carlson placed sixth last year in the girls Class A race.

Eureka's Bailey Malecha continues to shine this fall and will contend for all state.