Seeley-Swan High School Cross Country runners Wesley Stevenson (second from left) and Conner Chadwick (third from left) start the first meet of the season in Deer Lodge.
SEELEY LAKE – Seeley-Swan High School cross country runners competed in their first race Aug. 27 in Deer Lodge. Junior Conner Chadwick had a time of 24:11.46 with Sophomore Wesley Stevenson coming in with a time of 31:09.32 on the course.
This is Head Coach Bridget Laird's first year coaching the cross country team. She has had a long competitive career in sports and enjoys spending time with students outside the classroom. Laird has been the Seeley Lake Nordic Ski coach for the past 13 years.
Growing up in Miles City, Montana, Laird participated on the swim team, softball, basketball, volleyball and track and field throughout high school.
"I come from a family of competitive athletes and coaches, so the sports scene was part of my life from a very young age," Laird said. "As a coach, I think it's important to not only have a background in the sport but to continue to participate in it as an adult. I think my background in high school and lifelong sports, as well as my commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, will benefit the cross country program. Cross country gets runners out on trails and immersed in the natural landscape, which is something I've always tried to promote in many of my different roles as an educator."
The team is very small to start the season, Laird said. One of her goals is to recruit more students.
"I hope to create more interest in joining the team by exposing kids to the culture of running beyond the high school experience," Laird said.
Goals for the current team are to build endurance, strength, speed, overcome the physical and mental challenges distance running presents and set new personal records.
"I want to make sure these kids understand how tough they are whether they're among the top finishers or at the back of the pack," Laird said. "If they are pushing themselves as hard as they can, I want them to know they are amazing, accomplished athletes."
The next cross country meet starts at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 at the Mount Jumbo Westside Little League Fields, 3400 Spurgin Road, Missoula.
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