J-Hawks Take 4th at State XC, Schellig Breaks School Record

Top 15 Individual Medal Winners at the Montana High School Association Class B State Cross Country Meet.

Joliet's storied season came to a close Saturday at the MHSA State Cross Country Meet with a narrow 4th place finish, just 5 points behind Plains.

J-Hawks Varsity Boys State Team: (L to R) Senior Keith Frank, Sophomore Wade Behm, Seniors Thorlan Finley, Adin Matthes, Jack Cline, Junior Auston Schellig, Sophomore Carter Williams, Senior Grady Nardinger

This year's varsity boys committed to giving it all they had, as this would be the last time this group of mostly seniors competed together for the J-Hawks. They worked hard to stay in shape during the off-season, fitting in club track and field, club basketball and CrossFit around their busy work and academic schedules. They continued to put in the work during the season and earned the highest placing Joliet has achieved since the move to Class B in 2011. Three of the five scoring runners even placed in the top 20.

J-Hawks Varsity Girls State Team: (L to R) Senior Adelynn Urenda (Manager), Sophomores Addy Bania, Justyce Bickel, Senior Cloee Blain, Sophomore Sophia Schellig

First across the line for the J-Hawks was junior Auston Schellig. He earned a third place medal with a 16:12.1 finish, less than two tenths of a second behind second place Florence-Carlton senior, Kyler Harris. Senior Jack Cline also earned a medal, finishing 15th with a new personal record. Senior Adin Matthes just missed the podium with a 17th place finish. Senior Grady Nardinger, 43rd, and sophomore Carter Williams, 98th, completed the score for the team. Senior Gavin Evertz and sophomore Wade Behm also competed for the J-Hawks, but as 6th and 7th runners, were not scored.

J-Hawk Seniors Celebrating End of Season

Sophomores Sophia Schellig and Addy Bania also had outstanding performances. Schellig broke her own school record, running 8 seconds faster than her fastest time from the 2023 season. Bania set a new personal record, running almost 42 seconds faster than her previous best time, and earning the number two spot on the school record board. Sophomore Justyce Bickel and Senior Cloee Blain also competed or the varsity girls J-Hawks.

Sophomore Sophia Schellig midrace, on her way to breaking her own school record.

With the conclusion of the regular season, seven members of the team will be heading to NXR Regionals in Boise, Idaho, in November.

J-Hawk Results:

Varsity Girls

Sophia Schellig, 62nd, 22:49.1 (Personal Record, Joliet School Record #1)

Addison Bania, 76th, 23:15.7 (Personal Record, Joliet School Record #2)

Justyce Bickel, 129th, 25:19.9

Cloee Blain, 182nd, 29:52.3

Varsity Boys, 4th

Auston Schellig, 3rd, 19th All Classes, 16:12.1 (Season Record)

Jack Cline, 15th, 16:55.9 (Personal Record, Joliet School Record #2)

Adin Matthes, 17th, 17:29.3 (Personal Record, Joliet School Record #4)

Grady Nardinger, 43rd, 18:14.5

Carter Williams, 98th, 19:41.1 (Personal Record)

Gavin Evertz, 126th, 20:11.5

Wade Behm, 151st, 20:43.5

Joliet School Record Boards

5k Girls

1. Sophia Schellig, 22:49.1 2024

2. Addison Bania, 23:15.7 2024

3. Justyce Bickel 23:46.0 2023

4. Jalyn Songstad 23:46.1 2020

5. Kaitlyn Bancroft 23:52.9 2021

6. Megan Deines 24:02.6 2018

7. Peyton Whitehead 24:19.6 2018

8. Keelie O'Reilly 25:27.4 2018

9. Alaina Harris 25:32.2 2018

10. Emily Deines 26:18.9 2019

5k Boys

1. Auston Schellig, 16:07.0 2023

2. Jack Cline, 16:55.9 2024

3. Jacob May, 17:11.0 2018

4. Adin Matthes, 17:29.3 2024

5. Bryce Williams, 17:33.1 2021

6. Grady Nardinger, 17:59.3 2024

7. Cashe Butler, 18:33.0 2022

8. Brandon Williams 18:38.4 2023

9. Gavin Evertz 18:55.0 2023

10. Ceston Dimond 18:57.5 2021

    
    

Click here for complete 2024 MHSA State XC Results.