One Nation, Under God

Harriers return three state performers to X-Country

The Dodson-Whitewater Harriers are back for their second year under their cooperative agreement, with a new coach Francine Stiffarm at the helm.

Though Stiffarm has never coached and has never participated in cross country, she is the perfect candidate, telling the PCN that she has followed many of the students who have ran cross country since grade school.

"It's strange because a lot of these kids I've watched since third grade are in high school," Harriers Head Coach Francine Stiffarm told the PCN. "I get to be the one behind them now, instead of on the sidelines just cheering for them."

"The kids are all great and have great attitudes," said Coach Stiffarm. "They're hard workers. It's great."

The team will be led by its lone male senior runner, Jeret Warren who has been a stellar runner for the Harriers. He posted a personal best of 17:46 last year at state for twelfth place, and he is projected to do even better, though he won't have graduated senior Nick Bear to run with at meets.

In terms of running Warren is the current record holder in the mile and double mile at Whitewater Schools.

Senior Jacina Doney is a transfer from Harlem Schools and is also a state performer. She had a time of 25:16. She is also aiming to improve her time.

"She is a good runner, a pretty good athlete, very outgoing and she's a workhorse," said Coach Stiffarm. "So, I'm pretty excited about seeing her at meets."

Sophomore Shawnee KillEagle is another state performer, who posted a time of 27:45 at the state meet.

Freshman Cyprienne "Cippy" Guardipee, is in her first year with the team.

Though two of three girls have posted times under 30 minutes, their beginning goal was to get under 30 minutes at practices.

"Right now they're getting back into shape. So during practice they wanted to get their runs under 30 minutes," said Coach Stiffarm.

One of the more admirable things about the team is their personality. The kids are real to each other and real to themselves.

"They like the local races, they aren't looking forward to waking up early and going to Wolf Point," said Coach Stiffarm, with a smile.

Malta, Dodson and Harlem races are the ones they are looking most forward to, so you can expect them to be well energized for those races.

The team uses the Cross Country season to condition themselves for basketball in the winter months, but they have another reason for running, an even nobler one.

"I think it's a sense of pride in their school and team," said Coach Stiffarm. "They knew that many wouldn't go out for the team, so they wanted to try it out."

She went on to say that they wanted to represent their school.

Though they've been practicing since August 18, the great distance from Dodson to Whitewater is a lot and doesn't allow the teams to practice together.

Even so, last year the team was received well by each side of the co-op, cheering as their athletes crossed the line.

The Dodson Junior High Squad will be paired together with the Fort Belknap A'aninin Nakoda Schools for their cross country meets. The team will go with the Coyote as their logo.

The third through sixth graders in Dodson will also run one and a half mile races this year.

Coach Stiffarm admired the heart of those younger kids, because of the fact they are running against junior high runners at most of their meets.

"They are super excited and goal oriented," said Coach Stiffarm. "Their interest in running a mile and a half in third grade to me is amazing."

DATE EVENT SITE TIME

Aug. 18 First Day of Pract. Malta HS TBA

Sept. 6 Wolf Point Invitational Wolf Point TBA

Sept. 13 Malta Invitational Malta 10:00

Sept. 27 Glasgow Invitational Fort Peck TBA

Oct. 4 Havre Invitational Havre TBA

Oct. 10 Dodson Invite Dodson TBA

Oct. 15 Harlem Invitational Harlem TBA

Oct. 26 State Meet Helena TBA

TBA Frazer Frazer TBA

TBA Lewistown Fergus HS TBA

 

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