Harriers sweep at divisionals

The Whitefish boys and girls cross-country teams took first place in the Northwestern A Divisional Championship at the Silver Fox Country Club in Pablo on Saturday, with nine Bulldogs runners receiving all-conference status.

It was the Lady Bulldogs' first divisional championship in team history.

"We know that our most important meet is the one still in front of us, but it was sure nice to have this to lead us into the state championship," said Bulldog head coach Bill Brist. "This meet really gives us the indication that we can compete for a trophy at the state championships in Helena this coming weekend."

The boys were first to run the course.

Whitefish senior Ian Mallams led a group of Bulldog runners across the finish line with his second-place finish in a time of 15:47, matching his best time all season and making him an all-conference runner three years in a row.

He was followed across the line by a trio of Bulldogs — Blake Bjornson (fourth, 16:41), Jacob Fern (fifth, 16:46) and Erik Anderson (sixth, 16:48). Bjornson, Fern and Anderson ran their best races of the season and were also named all conference. Nick Donovan rounded out the team, scoring a 12th-place finish and a personal-best time.

"Nick stepped up and did a fine job as our fifth runner, and Patrick McGunagle ran a great race as well to finish 14th, only five seconds behind Nick," Brist said.

The downside of the event, Brist said, was that Joseph Alexander wasn't able to compete due to a twisted ankle, and another front runner, Drew Coco, ran despite an abdominal injury that has bothered him for several weeks.

"The boys team did fantastic," Brist said. "It wasn't that they did the unbelievable. It was that they did what they have been doing all season."

After watching the boys win a divisional title, the Whitefish girls took to the course and came from behind to edge out the defending state champion Ronan Maidens by one point, winning 33-32.

"When your team wins by one point, it's easy to point to places that made the difference," Brist said. "In this case, there were so many."

Whitefish's Beth Donovan led the team with a third-place finish, and Anne Danczyk and Clare Miller finished close behind in fifth and six places.

But it was the Bulldogs' depth that ultimately allowed them to take the divisional championship.

Lauren Kuennen, finished in eighth place, holding off Ronan's Briana Malmquist down the stretch, Brist said, and Kelly Beiser (10th) sprinted by teammate Loni Hanson (12th) at the finish line to help the Lady Bulldog team to a narrow team victory over the hosting Maidens.

The cross-country teams head to the state competition in Helena on Oct. 21.

The boys will compete against Browning, Dillon, Laurel, Hamilton and Hardin for the top spots, Brist said. The boys' best finish at state was third place in 2001.

The girls team has never finished higher than fifth at state.

"This may be the season that we are able to move into that top three," Brist said. "It could very well come down to a couple of points between the top-three teams if everyone runs like they did this last weekend."

Brist said Ronan is still the favorite, while Dillon and Miles City also have a history of competing well at the state track meet.

Boys Team Results:

1. Whitefish 29

2. Columbia Falls 51

3. Ronan 89

4. Polson 92

5. Libby 113

6. Eureka 190

7. Bigfork no score

Boys Individual Results: (69 finishers)

2. Ian Mallams, 15:47 All Conference; 4. Blake Bjornson, 16:41 All Conference; 5. Jacob Fern, 16:46 All Conference; 6. Erik Anderson, 16:48 All Conference; 12. Nick Donovan, 17:12; 14. Patrick McGunagle, 17:22; 17. Drew Coco, 17:41; 21. Michael Samdahl, 17:53; 22. Byron Bard, 17:55; 23. Michael Harrison, 17:57; 32. Wes Beougher, 18:20; 33. Tanner Hosek, 18:20; 44. Nathan Topliff, 19:00; 46. Joe Guerri, 19:15; 47. David Teeples, 19:18; 48. Jon Cameron, 19:22; 54. Luke Knight, 19:49; 58. Dan Gibbs, 21:29; 62. Jared Barton, 22:14; 63. Will Erikson, 22:17; 66. Chris MacNamara, 23:11; 67. Gentry Darkenwald, 23:31.

Girls Team Scores:

1. Whitefish 32

2. Ronan 33

3. Polson 80

4. Columbia Falls 101

5. Libby 155

Eureka no score

Bigfork no score

Girls Individual Results: (72 finishers)

3. Beth Donovan, 19:35 All Conference; 5. Anne Danczyk, 19:56 All Conference; 6. Clare Miller, 20:03 All Conference; 8. Lauren Kuennen, 20:16 All Conference; 10. Kelly Beiser , 20:44 All Conference; 12. Loni Hanson, 20:45; 15. Cassie Schell, 20:57; 17. Janna Rozar, 21:05; 22. Marni Hale, 21:22; 23. Natalie Kearns, 21:25; 24. Emily Jones, 21:51; 36. Hannah Weaver, 23:07; 37. Loie Russell-Templeton, 23:20; 39. Megan Shaver, 23:25; 42. Katie McGunagle, 23:44; 45. Mary Kohnstamm, 24:07; 46. Danielle Rogers, 24:12; 48. Mallory Phillips, 24:13; 49. Maggie Wilson, 24:13; 53. Dani Gregory, 24:51; 54. Alexa Holliday, 24:54; 56. Adraina Blanco, 25:13; 57. Bailey Chauner, 25:20; 59. Holly Cullen, 26:15; 62. Merilee Thomas, 26:38; 65. Emily Loesch, 27:58.