Knight girls leave state Cross Country challengers in the choking in their dust

Bishop Kelly's girl's cross-country team, with its top six runners finishing in the first 20 places, made short work of their competition in the Idaho 4A high school cross country championships at the sprawling Circling Raven golf course in North Idaho.

Led by wispy sophomore Emily Nist who finished a ahead of the pack by a full half-minute the lady Knights easily outdistanced second-place Hillcrest, which finished second, followed by Twin Falls and Jerome.

The meet was, as Head Coach Tom Shanahan had hoped for before the event, a team affair. In an interview in The KnightBeat two days before the meet, Shanahan had said "We've got the depth, the key to the team title will be the second pack, the 3-4-5-6 slots that will spell the difference. Individuals get the recognition, but it's depth that wins championships. You've got to have the supporting cast.

ABOVE, Bishop Kelly's girl's cross country team poses with their championship banner after winning state title. From left (back row) Erin Gordon, Rebecca Lassere, Lara Tuthill, Camille Fery, Briana Tiffany; (front row) Coach Pat Connor, Coach Kirk, Amanada Thompson, Emily Nist, Erin Kelly, Coach Muri and Head Coach Tom Shanahan

Shanahan's forecast was as good as a "Carnack the Magnificent" monologue. Teammates Lara Tuhill finished fourth; Rebecca Lassere, sixth; Camile Fery 13th; Briana Tiffany 16th, and Erin Kelly 17 to easily lay claim to the championship.

The willowy Nist bested her arch rival Century freshman Hannah McInturff, but not without some fretful moments early on. Nist trailed he rival early on, but opened a half-minute margin in the final mile to coast to the victory.

For the lady Knights, it was their sixth state title in the last seven years.

The Knight's boy's team finished third in the 4A classification behind Twin Falls and Hillcrest. Dan Williams was the top Knight finisher coming in fifth.