Williams sets school mark

Derrick Williams continued to shine as he took 20th out of a crowded field at the Mountain West Classic last Saturday.

Williams ran the Missoula course in 16:08.92, a personal best that broke the school record for a junior runner and is the fourth fastest time in school history.

"He was the top class A runner in the race," said coach Richard Menicke. "And he was one of the top 10 runners from Montana."

The race draws runners from across Montana, Idaho and Washington. The boys varsity race had 347 runners.

Williams was joined by teammates Justin Whitman who was 79th with a 17:01.75; James Ratzlaff, who was 163rd with a time of 18:03.25; Pascal Jessat, who was 178th with a time of 18:13.95; and Kohl Thompson, who took 179th with a time of 18:14.68.

Menicke was particularly pleased with frosh runners Ratzlaff and Zayne Brunz. Both shaved nearly a minute off their times from the week before and will be a key component to the team's success down the stretch, he said. Brunz ran an 18;32, but his place was not available.

On the girls' side, Jinise Osborne had a solid race, placing 49th with a 20:05.64.

"That was her fastest run of the year," Menicke said.

She was followed by Nicki Moser, who took 142nd with a 21:45.56; Cami Casazza, who was 163rd, with a time of 22:03.86; Alexas Young, who took 169th with a time of 22:11.22; and Tessa Cowan, who was 172nd with a time of 22:15.56.

Menicke said Tori Price and Kyle Hudson also had solid junior varsity races. The team travels to Ronan Saturday. The varsity races start at 11 a.m.