When Williston’s Mark Anderson entered the third mile of the boys varsity run at the Heen Ihmels Invitational at the Municipal Golf Course in Williston, he set a goal to catch the New Town runner in front of him.

He did, and Coyotes used a strong all-around performance to win their home meet with a team score of 63 points, ahead of Minot (95), Dickinson (98), New Town (124) and Parshall (137).

“We went out very well that first mile, and that second mile was exaxctly what we wanted to do,” Anderson said. “That third mile I was just trying to beat the guy from New Town.”

Anderson cited the performance of Caleb Shaffer, Aaron Monson and Nathan Donnelly in the team’s victory.

All five Coyotes runners finished in the top 22 out of 65 runners, including a 3-4 finish for Anderson (16:52) and Taylor Thompson (17:02), just behind Parshall’s Justin Many Ribs (16:24). Shaffer finished 13th in 17:52, Monson ran 21st in 18:33, and Donnelly ran 22nd in 18:35.

“I’m my own worst critic out there,” said Shaffer. “But it was a good showing. It started pretty well, and I started feeling the heat.”

The weather was sunny and 75 degrees, just warm enough to be a factor, but the home crowd helped Williston.

“It’s fun running at home,” Thompson said.

Next for Williston is the WDA meet in Mandan on Oct. 11, and then finally the state meet in Jamestown on Oct. 25.

“Coming into the year, it didn’t look like we’d have a shot at being a top five team in the state,” Thompson said. “It’s looking like we have a shot.”

Williston individual results

Mark Anderson (3rd, 16:52), Taylor Thompson (4th, 17:02), Caleb Shaffer (13th, 17:52), Aaron Monson (21st, 18:33, Nathan Donnelly (22nd, 18:35)

Team results

Williston 63

Minot 95

Dickinson 98

New Town 124

Parshall 137

Watford City 156

Bowman 175

Glendive 190

Mandaree 206

Beulah-Hazen 240

Killdeer 251

Mandan 254

Boys Cross County

Heen Ihmels Invitational

Junior Varsity

Williston individuals

Brandon Shaffer (15th, 20:03), Max Longtin (26th, 20:57), Jacob Monson (33rd, 21:17).

Team results

Dickinson 62

Minot 71

Culbertson 84

Beulah-Hazen 91

Mandan 147

New Town 169

Tioga-Trinity 176

Williston 197

Beach 254

Killdeer 256

White Shield 264

Watford City 271

Junior High

Williston individuals

Chris Chamberlin (1st, 10:34), Brennan Goldade (4th, 11:02), Quinn Wahlstrom (8th, 11:31), Jordan Monson (19th, 12:17), Jacob Oleksik (20th, 12:18).

Team results

Williston 52

Minot Jim Hill 73

Minot Ramstad 74

Dickinson/Hager 87

Bowman 112

Poplar 159

Beach 195

Estevan-St. Mary’s 210

Tioga-Trinity 210

Culbertson 219

Brockton 237