The cross country season kicked into high gear after early-season statements were made in the last few weeks of August. While returning contenders took center stage, a few new faces also entered the spotlight.
Below are the five girls' and boys' performances from August that can't be ignored for the rest of the season.
Lola Eggleston (Timberlake) | Senior | Libby Cross Country Meet 5th Place | 5K - 18:35.12
Eggleston posted Idaho's fastest girls' 5K of August while placing fifth at the Libby meet, giving the senior a strong start to her final season.
Sage Powell (Capital) | Senior | Jimmy Driscoll Invitational Winner | 5K - 18:38.75
Powell won the Jimmy Driscoll Invitational in 18:38.75, recording Idaho's second-fastest girls 5K of August to open her senior season.
Libby Stockett (Victory Charter) | Senior | Jimmy Driscoll Invitational Runner-Up | 5K - 18:40.31
Stockett finished just 1.56 seconds behind Sage Powell at Jimmy Driscoll, giving Idaho three senior girls under 18:41 in August.
Victoria Howard (Coeur d'Alene) | Sophomore | Libby Cross Country Meet 6th Place | 5K - 18:55.55
A sub-19-minute 5K as a sophomore gives Howard one of Idaho's strongest underclassman performances from the opening month.
Adalyn Bello (Eagle) | Freshman | Jerome Invite Winner | 5K - 19:30.50
Freshman Adalyn Bello immediately made an impact by winning the Jerome Invite in 19:30.50, placing herself among Idaho's newcomers to watch.
Boys
Jonas Porter (Rigby) | Senior | Centennial Course XC Invite Winner | 5K - 15:21.31
Porter ran Idaho's fastest boys 5K of August, winning the Centennial Course XC Invite in 15:21.31 to begin his senior season.
Ethan Hansen (Century) | Senior | Madison Dash Winner | 5K - 15:23.60
Hansen opened his senior season with a 15:23.60 victory at the Madison Dash, finishing just over two seconds behind Idaho's August leader.
Ammon Bitton (Century) | Senior | Madison Dash Runner-Up | 5K - 15:24.20
Bitton finished only six-tenths behind teammate Ethan Hansen at the Madison Dash, giving Century two of Idaho's three fastest August 5Ks.
Kai Budensiek (Sandpoint) | Junior | Libby Cross Country Meet Winner | 5K - 15:31.98
Budensiek won the Libby meet in 15:31.98, posting Idaho's fastest August 5K by a non-senior and establishing himself as an early contender.
Landon Hillam (Fruitland) | Senior | New Plymouth XC Invite Winner | 5K - 15:49.27
Hillam won the New Plymouth Invite in 15:49.27, giving the senior a sub-16-minute performance and early momentum entering September.
