BILLINGS -- The Hardin girls and Lewistown boys won the Eastern A Fall Classic cross country meet team titles at Riverfront Park in Billings on Friday afternoon.
Hardin's girls, the three-time defending State A cross country champions, had five runners in the top eight, including taking places 3-6. Libby Nedens, Journey Erickson and Marion Hugs finished within 1.2 seconds of each other, while Sophie Nedens finished sixth just five seconds behind the pack of Bulldogs in front of her.
Hardin would win the team title with 26 points, holding off Laurel, which finished second with 44 points. Laurel's Andria Mourich had a huge PR to win the meet in 19 minutes, 41.37 seconds, while teammate Carly Cook finished second. Hardin's pack of runners in the top eight was too much to overcome, though.
The Hardin boys, however, wouldn't have quite the success its girls team did. Although the Bulldogs placed four runners inside the top 10, it wasn't enough to overcome Lewistown, which placed three runners in the top five.
The best of Lewistown's runners on Friday afternoon was Sam Fulbright, who won the meet in 15 minutes, 57.16 seconds. Teammates Ryker Melton and Jalen Robinson chipped in with top-five finishes to lead Lewistown 38 points and hold off Hardin, which finished with 42.
Full results of Friday's meet can be found here. The state cross country meet will be Oct. 26 at Eagle Falls Golf Course in Great Falls.
