Wrath of Rath: Eagle Butte Talon makes history at cross-country provincials

“That was a really amazing feeling,” said Rath. “I knew [finishing] top-10 you get to stand up there. There was about three of us coming in pretty tight and I knew if I just kept going I would get up there. It was a really good feeling when I got across the line.”

History was made by the 16-year-old, as Rath became the first Eagle Butte Talons male to secure a top-10 finish at the provincial level.

“That means a lot,” said Rath. “Putting in all that hard work, it just pays off for something like this for the school and for myself.”

Rath has split his time over the past year between the running trails and the hockey rink, recently joining the Medicine Hat Midget AA Hounds after spending last winter with the SEAC Midget 15 Hounds program.

Darryl Smith has coached Rath over the last two years at the high school level and said he wasn’t surprised to see his student post such blazing time.

“That guy runs with so much guts,” said Smith. “It’s indicative of our program and what we do. I watched him the last kilometre and he just willed himself. There’s so much talent in that body and it’s a will with him.”

Living not too far away from the Echo Dale course, Rath spent plenty of time this summer and fall preparing for race not only provincials, but zones at home as well.

Rath added crossing the finish line to cheers from hometown supporters and those who have helped him on his athletic journey was something to remember.

“It’s special to me to be able to do that here where everyone was watching,” said Rath. “My mom came to cheer me on, it’s definitely special to be doing it here.”

As for next fall, the Talons speedster has his sights set on improving his time and even contending for a provincial medal in his Grade 12 year.

“Definitely I’m going to be pushing for maybe top-five next year,” said Rath.

Close to 800 runners from across the province took part in the race, including almost 40 from the Medicine Hat area alone.

Locals finishing behind Rath in the intermediate boys race included teammate Brendan Olson (Eagle Butte) in 38^th, Brannon Sumner (Medicine Hat High) in 67^th, Harrison Lawson (Crescent Heights) in 81^st, and Lukas Herter (Medicine Hat High) in 94^th.

Ayla Wikjord (Ecole Les Cypres) was the only other local to earn a top-25 finish in intermediate girls in 23^rd place followed by Rachel Regier (Crescent Heights) in 30^th, Sheridyn Herman (Eagle Butte) in 37^th, Lucia Van Neikerk (Crescent Heights) in 59^th, Josie Drefs (Eagle Butte) in 74^th, Krista McKnight (Eagle Butte) in 77^th, Megan Curran (Eagle Butte) in 78^th, and Ena Yajima (Monsignor McCoy) in 94^th.

In senior boys it was Medicine Hat High’s Eli Smith with the best local placing of 51^st followed behind by Truman Bartman (Medicine Hat High) in 70^th, Gavin Derksen (Eagle Butte) in 73^rd, Aiden Heller in 89^th, William Baird (Eagle Butte) in 92^nd, Orin May (Medicine Hat High) in 93^rd, and a 98^th place finish for Eric Mason (Eagle Butte).

Hannah Salmon of Medicine Hat High was 30^th in the senior girls race, Justina Renke (Eagle Butte) was 72^nd, Tiahna Blaquiere (Eagle Butte) was 82^nd, Azlin Ferguson (Eagle Butte) was 90^th, Tilley Cripps (Monsignor McCoy) was 96^th, and Bailey Pearson (Eagle Butte) was 97^th.

Monsignor McCoy’s Bree Becker recorded a 34^th place finish in the junior girls event followed by Madison Scrimger (Crescent Heights) in 45^th, Jaelyn Siewert (Eagle Butte) in 54^th, Dimitria Karamanos (Eagle Butte) in 56^th, Kailey Duchscherer (Eagle Butte) in 58^th, Georgia Herter (Crescent Heights) in 69^th, Natalie Liefso (Eagle Butte) in 77^th, and Trinity Wikjord (Ecole Les Cypres) in 79^th.

Rounding out the locals was Colton Robinson (Eagle Butte) in 44^th place in junior boys along with Gage Smith (Medicine Hat High) in 65^th, Tyson Hegelson (Eagle Butte) in 73^rd, Justin Jager (Eagle Butte) in 75^th, and Eli Lavoie-Pierzchala (Eagle Butte) in 81^st.

“They’re amazing young people that just put out every second, every inch of that race,” said Darryl Smith.

Family connections

Gage (left) and Darryl Smith (right) at ASAA Cross-Country Provincials (Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin)

On the race paths, a special moment transcending generations also occurred for one local family.

Brothers Eli and Gage Smith competed for the Medicine Hat High Mohawks cross-country team, running in the senior and junior boys races, respectively.

Incredibly, over three decades prior it was their father Darryl and uncle Dion chasing the exact same goals at ASAA provincials.

“My brother was there as well, so [grades] 12 and 10,” said Darryl. “Now, Eli and Gage get to run on October 19 exactly 34 years later almost to the minute.”

Decades later, Darryl said he still remembers that snowy day in southern Alberta perfectly.

“We drove to Crowsnest Pass from Fort McMurray, a 12-hour drive and we ran provincials there,” said Darryl. “I actually passed a guy to get 10^th in that race, both of us slipped at the line. So, it was pretty amazing.”

Eli had the top showing of the two brothers with a 51^st place finish in the senior boys six-kilometre race, while Gage came across the junior boys finish line in 65^th place in his first provincial test at the high school level.

Gage said it’s a proud moment not just for he and his brother, but the entire Smith family.

“We can all connect about it and we get to talk about our different experiences on different courses,” said Gage. “My dad and my uncle sometimes give me and my brother some tips on, ‘Here’s somebody to look out for, here’s where you can drop some time.’”

“Ever since we were three and four, he was pushing us in the stroller, doing all these races, and now we get to run on the course that he built. It’s just been a wild ride all of us working together and training together.”

The next ASAA provincial event slated to be held in southeastern Alberta will be 1A volleyball provincials at Senator Gershaw School in Bow Island from November 21 to 23.

by Scott Roblin

Wrath of Rath: Eagle Butte Talon makes history at cross-country provincials

Family connections

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