Poplar Wins Class B State Cross Country Title

It takes a total team effort to win a state championship, especially when the difference between first place and second place is just a single point.

Poplar’s cross country team received that needed full-team effort to win the Class B boys’ state cross country championship held in Billings on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The Indians finished with 100 points to capture the state championship. Defending state champion Harlem was right behind with 101 points. Jefferson took third with 152 points.

Poplar Coach John Wetsit believes the accomplishment marks the first state title for the boys’ cross country program since 1998.

The coach said about mid-season that his team started to realize that they had the opportunity to challenge defending state champion Harlem.

“We knew we had the potential,” Wetsit said. The Indians attended larger meets in order to prepare for the battle.

Going into the state meet, the coach was confident but knew it would be a dogfight. He instructed his team, “Pressure is a privilege.”

The Indians came through when the pressure was on. After the first mile of the 3.1 mile state competition, Wetsit said the Indians were neck-toneck with Harlem in the team standings. But after two miles, Harlem was ahead by seven points.

Wetsit and assistant coach Karolyn Kohl Hartsoch kept yelling at their runners that passing each individual could be the difference.

Top finisher for the Indians was senior Jaycee Hilkemann with a time of 15:47.1 for fifth place. Jayden Eder, a sophomore, also earned All-State recognition by placing 12th with a time of 16:36.5.

Wetsit was proud of the work that both Hilkemann and Eder performed throughout the summer and season.

Ryder Olson, a senior, finished in 21st place with a time of 17:06.5.

“Ryder Olson really stepped up,” Wetsit said.

Issac Irizarry took 30th at 17:22.7. Mickey Failing was 32nd at 17:25.5. Dustin Smith took 50th at 17:47.4.

Smith’s performance as Poplar’s sixth runner became the difference in the one-point margin.

“Dustin Smith really stepped up and sealed the deal for us,” Wetsit said.

Harlem’s Ethan Walker finished first overall with a time of 15:20.4.

Poplar’s girls placed 10th in the team standings at the Class B state cross country meet with 360 points. Jefferson won the team title.

Chinook’s Ashlyn Ford ran the course in 18:08.5 to win the individual championship.

Leading the Indians was Amelia Weeks with a time of 20:37.2 for 26th place.

Wetsit was very proud of the performance by Weeks in her final race as a senior.

Mila Gramling placed 39th at 21:15.1. Kellyn Azure earned 44th place at 21:24.3.

Audrey Swallers was 110th at 23:18.7. Harley Daniels took 141st at 24:17.9.

Kelbee Redstone placed 161st at 24:56.4. Liberty Boadle was 179th at 25:40.7.

“I’m proud of these kids in general,” Wetsit said. “It’s great for Poplar and the Reservation. It shows what our people are capable of.”