Mountain West Invitational (MT)
With a 17:12.2 win on Saturday at the University of Montana golf course, Annie Hill cemented her status as the top distance runner in the state and perhaps the nation. The sophomore from Glacier High School took down her most formidable challenger yet in Billings senior Christina Aragon, who ran 4:37 for the mile last spring and is the nation's best returning middle distance runner on the track.
Hill didn't wait around for anyone - she took off at the start and had a sizable lead by 1200 meters. The win was impressive, though she actually ran 16:39 last year to fend off Makena Morley, who went on to place third at Foot Locker. Aragon ran 17:27.9 for second, a sizable improvement on her 17:42 fourth place finish last year.
Bryn Morley of Bigfork (Makena's younger sister) placed fifth in 18:08. She was runner-up to Hill at the Libby Invitational in 16:54 at the beginning of the month. Hill ran 16:25 to win that race, a time that still stands as the nation's second-fastest three mile time this year.
Brody Smith of Cody High School defended his individual title, racing 15:08.3 over three miles to nearly replicate his 15:07 performance from last year. The Wyoming senior currently ranks No. 13 on the descending order list for three mile times this year, thanks to a 14:33 run to win the Billings Invitational on September 4.
According to the Missoulian, officials adjusted the course this year to include a second hill climb right before the finish.
Smith, the defending Wyoming state cross country champion, is currently on a recruiting trip to the University of Montana.
Photos courtesy of Maggie Kirkham
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