Jefferson High’s cross country teams competed last Thursday in the 7 of 7 meet in Helena. This is a big, all-class meet — with 58 teams this year — where runners are placed into each of seven separate races based on their times during the season.
In the boys’ 5000 meter race, the Panthers’ Dominic Hurlbert placed 17th among the top runners in 16:33.14. McKenon Boyd was 26th at number two, in 18:08.02, and Marshall Jensen 25th at number three, in 18:30.61. Caelum Dunn placed 29th in the fourth flight, 19:06.00; Pierce Ward was 29th in the fifth, 19:59.28; Matthew Zelenka 35th among number-six runners, 21:06.22; and Colin Gallagher 34th in the 7th flight, 20:09.92.
Among the JV boys, Thomas Johnson placed 186th, 20:49.09, Adam Sherlock 199th, 20:58.25, Dawson Parks 237th, 21:45.09, Steel Hansing 280th, 22:33 44, and Zander Swenson 363rd, 27:21.97.
In the girls’ races, Peyton Stearns finished 15th in the top flight, in 20:21.50. Isabella Warren was 24th among the number-three runners, 22:44.71, and Rebekah Warren 30th at number four, 22:57.97. Natalie Russ finished 20th at number six, 23:43.55, and Maylea Dawson 20th at number seven, 24:05.27. Sidni French finished 147th in the JV race at 25:28.92; Meridith Rieder was 224th, 28:12.05, and Addie Holman 241th, 29:19.28
This Thursday, the Hoofers will be running at the Rusty Raisland Memorial in Townsend. And on Oct. 26, they’ll compete in the State meet at the University of Montana golf course in Missoula at the U of M golf course. The Class B girls race starts at 11 a.m., with the boys following at noon. Good luck to all.
Football
The Jefferson football team traveled to Big Timber last Friday night and came home with a huge 48-0 win over Sweet Grass County. The big score sure made the long bus trip home a lot sweeter.
Luke Oxarart had 16 carries for 99 yards, two receptions for 20 yards, one interception, and three touchdowns. Ben Werner added two touchdowns, and quarterback Tyzer Zody threw two passes for scores, one of them to Tavin Charlton. Brady Armstrong came up with two huge sacks.
Jefferson and top-ranked Manhattan are now tied for the lead in District 5B, both at 3-0. That makes this Friday’s game in Manhattan a high-stakes affair: The winner will leave in sole possession of first place with one game left in the regular season. A big turn-out of Panther fans would sure be great. Put on your purple and gold and have some fun. And good luck, Panthers
Volleyball
The Lady Panther volleyball team is sitting alone in first place with a 9-1 conference record after two big wins. Jefferson took down county rival Whitehall Thursday in straight sets, then won a nail-biter Saturday in Townsend, 3-2.
The Whitehall match was 25-12, 25-12, 25-15. Cameron Toney continued her big season with 3 aces, 15 kills, ½ block and 10 digs, while Erica Shields had a kill, 18 assists amd 8 digs. Brooklyn Miller added 3 kills, a block and 2 digs, Ryian Eveland 3 kills, a block and 2 digs, Maddy Averill 18 digs, and Avery Popp 4 aces, 3 assists and 10 digs.
In Townsend, Broadwater took the first two sets, and the Panthers seemed like they were in a big hole. But Jefferson ran away with the third, then held on in the fourth and fifth for the win. Final: 19-25, 22-25, 25-11, 25-19, 15-11. Toney notched 2 aces, 19 kills, a block and 21 digs; Shields 34 assists and 11 digs; Miller 11 kills; Eveland 12 kills, 6 blocks and 3 digs; Averill 26 digs; and Popp an ace, 6 assists and 20 digs.
In the conference standings, Ennis now trails Jefferson at 7-2, with Broadwater at 6-2. The Panthers travel to Lone Peak this Thursday, then are at the big Butte Central tournament Friday and Saturday.
