More Cowbell Invitational

Soda Springs and Grace both kicked off their 2025 cross country season at the More Cowbell Invitational on the Valley View golf course in Star Valley last weekend.  As far as golf course races go this one is no cake walk.  The course is tucked up against the east hills in Afton and has a constant barrage of rolling hills.  It provided a great starting point for the season and tested the athletes early.  The host school split the race into two divisions that match their school colors crimson and gold.  Our two local schools were separated in those divisions so they did not compete head to head.

Both the Lady Cardinals and the Lady Grizzlies graduated some top runners last season.  Where the two schools differ is in their replacement of those runners.  The Lady Cardinals return a terrific runner in Ellie Wood who led the way for Soda Springs as well as several other senior runners.  Soda Springs also welcomes several incoming freshmen to the team this season.  The Lady Grizzlies are a completely different story.  Grace was one of the powerhouses last season but lost several top athletes to graduation.  This year’s Lady Grizzly team features just two girls who without a full team will have to rely on some great personal times to qualify for state later in the season.

The Grizzly boys team does not have the same issues that their female counterparts have.  Grace returns a very strong senior group of runners and, if they can stay healthy, will be in contention for a trophy at the end of the season.  The four strong senior runners will be aided by a trio of sophomores who will be vying for varsity runner spots.  The Cardinal men are an even mix of experience and youth.  Soda Springs has several freshmen and sophomores to back up a small group of returning runners.

At the More Cowbell Invite only two local runners placed in the top ten of their respective races in what was a very tough and competitive field.  Lily Coleman placed tenth in the girls Crimson division for Grace and Ellie Wood grabbed eighth place in the girls Gold division for Soda Springs.

If you are looking for a chance to watch these incredible athletes in action there is no better time and place than Saturday at Kelly Park when Soda Springs hosts the best race in the state of Idaho, the Cardinal Classic.  Grab a lawn chair and some snacks and come enjoy some of the best runners in the region.

Grace Girls Results

Lily Coleman 23:42.0, Hayden Ball 27:07.7

Grace Boys Results

Colt Coleman 19:30.7, Carter Mecham 19:45.2, Brock Johnson 20:08.0, Jonah Wilkerson 20:51.6, Treyson King 21:31.9, Cutler Andersen 22:55.2, Hyrum Smith 26:22.7

Soda Springs Girls Results

Ellie Wood 21:49.1, Rosie Harris 23:02.3, Brinley Kunz 23:06.8, Madilyn Kempe 23:48.3, Mollie Renfroe 24:11.9, Courtnee Gronning 24:25.6, Mylee White 26:32.0, Riley Goode 27:49.4, Danalee Frandsen 28:42.3

Soda Springs Boys Results

Landon Moldenhauer 18:32.4, Reuben Uskoski 18:50.5, Jaxson Horsley 19:15.6, Kage Kirby 20:18.5, Dre Lloyd 20:44.7, Jonathan Beutler 21:15.5, James Birch 22:07.2, Elias Green 22:11.2, Jordan Clarke 23:29.6, Porter Barker 24:08.8, Ryan Barker 25:52.1, Noah Hansen 26:26.7, Richard Dilworth 28:04.2, Axel Stanley 28:29.7, Axel Kollmann 30:49.0