Run to compete, run for fun or run just simply to miss school, whatever the reason 256 Battle West athletes made their way through the trails of Finlayson Island during the district cross-country meet.
A total of 35 runners from the district meet Thursday will be advancing to provincials this weekend in Regina.
Qualifying in the midget boys' event were two Cut Knife runners, Jarett Biondo and Wyatt Kasokeo. Quinton Cubbon of John Paul II and Jace Poundmaker of Poundmaker also will be going on to provincials. Biondo finished first with a time 14:35. Seven runners in total competed in the midget boys' event and 10 can advance to provincials in all divisions, but some athletes had other commitments on the weekend.
Brianna Hill of Medstead was first at the district meet and Taisley Isaac of NBCHS and Jessica Karstens of Wilkie will represent Battle West in the midget girls' division.
Nine of the 10 junior boys who ran at districts will run at provincials including: Jeremy Stone of Poundmaker, Brendan Grosjean of NBCHS, Mekwan Morin of Medstead, Justin Taylor of Luseland, Richard Thomas and Devin Sakebow of Pelican Lake, Solomon Rise of Medstead, Matthew Murfitt of Macklin and Brent Osecap of Cando.
Mikaela York from John Paul II continued her perfect streak this season in the junior girls' division taking first place at districts and advancing to provincials. Other junior girls heading to provincials include: Zena Johnson of NBCHS, Kennedy Glassford of Wilkie, Brooke Forbes of NBCHS, Taylor Hettinger of John Paul II, Mellissa Wallace of Wilkie and Baillie Orange of Medstead.
The senior boys running at provincials will be Jamie Wahobin and Cody Seesiquasis of Cando, Matthew Hudek of John Paul II, Troy Tyndall of NBCHS, Bryden Zbytovsky of Unity, Devon Sylvester of John Paul II, Victor Pernitsky of Unity, Liam Bassingthewaighte of NBCHS, Dustin Ubell of Unity and Morgan Hadley of NBCHS.
Alix Knowles of Unity and Andria Karstens of Wilkie will compete in the senior girls division.
Only six of the qualified athletes representing the Battle West District this year at provincials competed in the provincial cross-country meet last year. The hope is that the district moves up the overall standings this time around.
The larger groups Thursday were in the peewee and novice divisions, but those runner are to young to advance to provincials.
Kirkland Galsford of St. George was first in the peewee boys followed by Spencer Sperle of UCHS, Kevin Bendall of Holy Family, Travis Rogers of Macklin, David Edwards of Medstead, William Pooyak of BCS, Sid Ironstand-Hanson of Holy Family, Jaden Zunti and Zack Ross of Major and Jared Schmidt of Holy Family wrapped up the top 10 of 33 runners.
Twenty-three peewee girls took to the trail and Shalisa Thomas of Kisikohk earned first place. Alanis Witchelcan also of Kisikohk was second followed by Kaylee Doke and Caitlin Friesen of Holy Family, Katelyn Peterson of EMBM, Dakota Mahoney of Unity, Sierra Laroque of BCS, Jayda Englot of Medstead, Jalissa Klippenstein of EMBM and Chloe Bargen of Medstead.
The largest group of racers was the novice boys where 86 runners competed. Treyton Pernitsky of Norman Carter was first. Ashten Bast, Cory Hohmann and Sean Ellwood of Macklin were second to fourth, Austin Collin of BCS was fifth, St. Peter's runners Dayn M., Brett H., Dillon P. and Carter A. were sixth through ninth and Erik Peterson of EMBM rounded out the top 10.
Jaden Allen of St. Peters beat the other 46 runners in the novice girls' division. Behind her and in the top 10 were Gracier Closen of Holy Family, Mia Cottini of BCS, Kaitlyn Rumpf of St. Vital followed by classmates Alie Lesmeister and Jordan H., in seventh was Sarah Anderson from Hartley Clark, Melyna Bahler of St. Vital was eighth, Veronica Ross of Major was ninth and Shynelle Watson of Kisikohk was 10th.
