BILLINGS, MT – Well over 200 racers lined up at Amend Park for the Billings Cross Country Invitational on Friday afternoon and it was Laurel’s Levi Taylor who brought home the win on the boys side, while Tiahna Vladic of Billings Senior put on a clinic in cruising to an easy victory in the girls race.
Laurel’s Levi Taylor, the 2017 state champion, opened up a 10 second advantage after lap one and never let up. Taylor coasted to the finish line in 15:52.54, more than 15 seconds ahead of second place finisher Porter Harman of Worland. Sam Fulbright of Fergus crossed in third place with a time of 16:20.58.
Helena won the boys team title after having 4 racers place in the top 21 spots. Sheridan was second with 3 runners in the top 20 and Billings Skyview took home the bronze with 2 top 20 finishers. Billings West and Hardin rounded out the top 5.
On the girls side, Vladic entered as the heavy favorite and she did not disappoint. The Senior Bronc opened up a huge advantage after the first lap and she was never threatened. The 2017 state runner up won the Billings title in 17:55.69.
The next closest finisher, Riley Smith of Cody, finished over a minute behind at 18:59.65. Laurel’s Grace Timm finished third at 19:30.24, while Billings Skyview’s Emberlyn Hoffman-Gaschk and Colstrip’s Whitney Hanson rounded out the top 5.
In the team race, Vladic and Billings Senior took home the top spot. The Broncs had 4 runners finish in the top 10 on Friday afternoon. Helena placed second with 3 runners in the top 20, while Billings West and Hardin tied for third with 123 total places. Cody finished 5th with a total place score of 158.
