DILLON, Mont. – In a continued effort to showcase Montana Western current and former student-athletes as more than just a number on a jersey, UMW Athletics continues on with its regular web series titled "Off the Leash". You can view the collections of stories as they are released by clicking here.
 
Off the Leash Series #2- Diamond City Mountain Relay
Over the weekend of July 8-10, seven Montana Western cross country and track athletes had the opportunity to compete in the Diamond City Mountain Relay. This three-day relay race covered a span of 215 total miles on dirt roads and single tracks through the mountains of Montana. Teams of six to twelve people ran the relay with legs of a set distance, with most legs being around 3-5 miles long. Every team member was required to run at least one leg per day with the help of two support vehicles that were provided by each team. These vehicles chased each runner and dropped off the next runner at the designated exchange zones.

As a team, the group took fifth out of 12 teams total in the 21 and under category, as well as being awarded the "Most Spirited" team in the event. The team of ten included Bulldog athletes Mason Baseley, Morgan Baseley, Araceli Ramirez, Eireann Rhein, Liz Varner, Jesse McMurtrey, and Will Hyatt. They also had the opportunity to compete alongside their friends within the Frontier Conference as they recruited other athletes from within the conference to complete their team. Battlin' Bears runners Sydney Littlelight and Mei-Li Stevens joined from Rocky Mountain College and Fighting Saints runner Reghan Worley joined from Carroll College.

"Getting to know the other girls and bond with them on a team aspect was what I think we all needed for this upcoming season. Overall, it was a great race and we all had an amazing and fun time. Definitely great team bonding and we will be talking about this experience for the rest of the year." Mason Baseley said.