There was no greater cheer of accomplishment and celebration as the ovation let out when the Malad Dragon Men’s Cross Country team was announced as the District Championship team.  After a season of training, pushing and enduring, the MHS team accomplished the greatest feat of their season.

Malad competed in the 2A District 5 Cross Country championship race on Thursday, October 19 on the Portneuf Wellness Complex in Pocatello.  Racing on a beautiful fall afternoon on a course they knew well from past experiences, the MHS Cross Country team was primed and ready to leave all on the line.  Working over the 5K race, the competitors push themselves to move ahead of one more racer or go faster for just one more push.  That extra measure of effort and fight gave the men’s team an overall winning finish and six of the top ten finishers.

 Brycen Talbot led out for the Men’s XC team, crossing the finish line in second place with a time of 17:27.3.  Less than a minute later, Braun Nalder (18:05.4) led the pack of six MHS racers that included Levi Angell (18:12.1), Boston Burbidge (18:14.3), Porter Allen (18:22.1), Brex Martinsen (18:32.0), and Colt Coleman (18:38.2).  Coming just behind them was Baylor Bean (19:14.6), followed by Carter Smith (20:14.1), Jaxon Blaisdell (20:14.8), Caden Jeppson (20:43.8), Joshua Pickett 21:20.8, and Cameron Allen (21:21.6).

  With their first place finish, the MHS Men’s team qualified for the IHSAA State Championship Cross Country meet.  While there have been several individuals qualify and compete in the state race, this marks the first time that a men’s team will represent Malad there since 2007, a truly exciting accomplishment.

The Lady Dragon Cross Country team celebrated with their own successful second place finish at the district race.  Cally Coleman took the lead for Malad, finishing in second place at 20:12.3.  In seventh place, Brooke Isaacson came in with a time of 21:10.5.  Coming in behind her was Brynlee Bastain (22:19.2), Hadlee Summers (22:52.0), Kaylee Nalder (23:09.3), Oaklie Hebdon (23:34.0),  Jenna Talbot (23:54.3) and Madelyn Shaw (25:40.2).  The women’s team also qualified to compete at the state race as they have for the last few years.

 Filled with emotion and pride for her team, head coach Tia Talbot shared, “It is just so exciting!  I am super proud of them and all the hard work they put in.  They always put in what I ask and couldn’t be more happy with their effort and their finish.”

The IHSAA State Championship Cross Country meet is scheduled to compete on Saturday, October 28, once again, at the Portneuf Wellness Complex.  The 2A women’s race will compete at 10:30 am with the men’s race scheduled for 12:00 pm.