Staff
Fort High sent a contingent to the Northwestern Ontario Cross-Country Running Championship last Wednesday at the Kamview Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay.
Hailey Clendenning had the school’s best finish, placing 14th out of a field of 51 runners in the Midget girls’ division.
The Hammarskjold Vikings captured the overall title with 156 points, followed by the Westgate Tigers (138 points) and St. Patrick Saints (133).
Some 238 runners took part in the event, which included all Thunder Bay high schools and 10 high schools from around the region.
The FFHS cross-country team welcomed a new coach, Kendall Richardson, this season along with returnee Natasha Shack.
“It was a good season as we had lovely weather in September to train through,” Shack noted.
“The athletes were well-prepared for training this year as many had maintained their running throughout the summer,” she added.
“This benefitted the team as many runners ran stronger than they had last year—this was evident from the beginning of training.”
Shayanne Holden had the team’s best finish at a previous meet in Kenora, finishing third in the senior girls’ race.
Maxx Madill ran to a fourth-place showing in the senior boys’ race at that same event.
The team will continue preparations and training throughout the off-season.
“Many of the athletes on the cross-country team as choosing to continue their running in between seasons [track and field training does not start until the spring] and, as of last year, the Fort Frances High School Running Club has developed,” Shack noted.
The club is open to all running enthusiasts.
Last year, members participated in the “Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard” 5K and 10K runs over in International Falls, the “Energy Fitness 5K” here, and the “Willie Walleye 5K” in Baudette, Mn.
