Wolves’ Cross Country Team Takes To The Hills, Looking Forward To Season

With four runners returning from last year's state meet, Wolf Point's cross-country team is looking forward to a successful season.

Wolf Point's turnout of 15 athletes includes 12 boys and three girls.

Zander Ackerman headlines the list of returning runners. The senior finished fifth at the Class B state competition last year.

“I think he will perform well at the state meet. We have some very tough teams on this side of the state,” Wolf Point coach John Wetsit said of Ackerman.

The coach noted there that should be good competition between Ackerman, Poplar's Hudson Atkinson and Richey/Lambert's Samuel Smith throughout the regular season.

“We should see them going against each other at every meet,” Wetsit said. “We will get a good idea of where we sit.”

Other Wolf Point boys who are returning from the state meet team include junior August Spotted Wolf, junior Ethan Blount and junior Jaxon Azure.

“Our boys are going to be solid,” Wetsit said. “I think our boys all together should do well.”

The coach is also looking for junior Kolby Spotted Wolf and freshman Payton Summers to have strong seasons for the Wolves.

On the girls' side, sophomore Presley Grandchamp competed at the state meet last year.

“She had to work hard to qualify for state last year,” Wetsit said. “She's been working hard. I have a lot of faith that she will qualify for state again.”

Piper Ruffing, a transfer student from Shepherd, should be one of the team's top runners. “She was right behind our top girl last year,” Wetsit noted.

The coach said the girls are rebuilding, but he hopes to add to the turnout during the next couple of weeks.

“I have an open door policy,” Wetsit said. “It's important to get the kids out and give them something to do.”

This is Wetsit's third year as Wolf Point's head coach and 14th year coaching overall. He has also coached in Frazer and at the collegiate level.

The Wolves are scheduled to open their season in Sidney on Saturday. However, as of presstime, it was unclear if they would be participating. Due to COVID- 19, participants at the meet has been limited with Class A schools having first chance to register. Also, it will be competitors and coaches only, with no spectators allowed.

“The only goal is to stay consistent and, if we have state, that we are prepared,” Wetsit said.