Truckee’s cross-country team attended the annual Nevada Twilight Classic last Friday at Mira Loma Park in southeast Reno.

The evening was full of memorable moments, including the University of Nevada, Reno men’s cross-country team’s first meet in 25 years, a Wolverines individual win, and a girls’ race that was run partially under the light of cell phones.

After logging more than 500 miles of running this summer, Truckee senior Montana Montgomery picked up a first-place finish to open the year, outrunning the field of 80 other athletes on the 3,900-meter high school course to claim victory with a time of 13 minutes, 1 second. Montgomery crossed the finish line nearly 20 seconds ahead of second place, Bryce Welton, of Galena.

Varsity newcomer, junior Ben Picard was Truckee’s second fastest athlete of the day, finishing 29th with a time of 14:19. Senior Ben Breuch crossed the line at 15:14 for 46th, followed sophomore Aidan Gustafsson in 54th with a time of 15:30. Junior Wyatt Peek was 62nd with a time of 15:35 and junior Zach Blum was 73rd with a time of 16:37. There were 81 runners in the division.

As a team the Truckee boys placed 10th out of 10 teams. Spanish Springs won the meet.

The Truckee junior varsity team ran an impressive first meet with freshman Reed Loper claiming 12th place overall with a time of 15:34, followed by sophomore Canyon Blassingame (16:34), freshman Travis Mourning (17:11), junior Cole Thompson (17:46), and senior Robbie Maxim (19:04). The boys’ team claimed seventh with 213 points out of 12 teams. 

Cell phones light way for Lady Wolverines

The varsity girls’ race wasn’t contested until 9:30 p.m., and near the 800-meter mark, the lights had gone out.

Fans, however, turned on their cell phone flashlights to illuminate the course, allowing the race to be held.

Senior Isabella Terrazas was Truckee’s top runner, finishing in eighth place with a time of 16:51.

Senior Deanna Sunnergren led a trio of Wolverines across the finish line, claiming 11th place with a time of 17:05. Junior Hana Mazur was next in 12th overall with a time of 17:07, followed by junior teammate Amelia Swanson in 13th with a time of 17:17.

Sophomore Sonny Strusinski (17:57), junior Ella Freeman (18:55), and junior Grace Hodous (19:02) rounded out the Truckee varsity girls’ team.

Overall, the Truckee girls closed the meet one point behind Reno for first place as a team, claiming a runner-up finish with 63 points.

The junior varsity team also ran the 3,900-meter course. Nynke Propstra led the Wolverines with a time of 23:59, followed by teammate Brooke Saathoff with a time of 25:41.

The Truckee cross-country team’s second meet will be Saturday, Sept. 14, at Nevada Union High School in Nevada City.