Moser, Whitman set school marks at Whitefish

By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News

Cool weather. Flat course. Speedy kids. All of that added up to some stellar times for the Columbia Falls cross country athletes at the Whitefish meet on Saturday (Oct. 6).

Nicki Moser set a new Columbia Falls freshman girls record with a time of 19:39 and Shawn Whitman set a school sophomore record with a time of 16:21. Whitman took second overall. Moser was sixth. As a team, the boys were edged by the Bulldogs by one point for second place.

The Columbia Falls girls took third overall.

Moser broke the freshman record of 20:31, established by Allyson Tarr in 1998.

Whitman's time broke the record of 16:33 set by Camas Key in 1994.

"It is exciting to see both Shawn and Nicki running at such incredible levels with two remaining weeks of the season. They both have a very good chance of improving their marks and improving their placing in the school cross country hall of fame. Both runners should have an outstanding opportunity to race to all-conference and all-state honors in the next two weeks," coach Steve Gasche said.

The boys team nearly pulled off an upset over a very talented Whitefish team. All but one boy ran either a season-best or career-best time. Patric Jessat was the only exception. However, he placed fifth overall in a very solid time of 16:55. Tripp Gimbel placed third overall in a season best time of 16:52. Michael Kruse had his second consecutive sub-18 race. He placed 12th with his season best time of 17:36. Freshmen Kodiak Gimbel and Pascal Jessat placed 20th and 21st in identical season best times of 18:25. Tim Chopper placed 23rd in his career-best time of 18:41.

These seven boys will represent the Wildcats at the Conference Championship Meet this weekend. Other boys with improved times were Michael Pachnik (24th) in 18:49; Jacob Silva (25th), 19:08, Tony Bowers (29th), 19:29; Bruce Bennett (31st), 19:52; Tommy Wright (32nd), 20:00; and Devin Iverson (34th), 20:47.

Only two girls fell shy of their season-best marks. Nicole Mickelson, who was the Kats' fourth finisher, placed 18th in a time of 21:18. This was only four seconds shy of her career fastest time. Gabriele Freeman, who was running injured, ran one of her better times of the season (28:30).

All other girls ran at blisteringly fast paces, according to Gasche. Tessa Cowan, who was also running hurt, was the second fastest runner — placing 13th in her season-best time of 20:48. Anna Downen ran her career fastest time of 21:18 and placed 17th overall. Also with sore legs, Madison Stolte was the fifth finisher, placing 21st in her season fastest time (21:35). Alexas Young was a very solid sixth runner for the team, placing 25th with her season best (22:00). Chelsey Marjerrison also managed a season best, placing 30th (22:40).

These seven girls will be representing the Wildkats at the Conference Championships. Other girls who ran season best marks were Whitney Chivers (37th) in 24:59 and Laura Burgess (40th) in 25:35.

The Northwest A Championship meet will be Saturday (Oct. 13) at 2 p.m. in Pablo at the Silver Fox Golf Course.

"Our boys will be hoping for a shot at winning a conference title. It will be a huge challenge but we are still improving and capable at racing even faster times, " Gasche said. "Whitefish will definitely be the team to beat. The Whitefish girls may have the best team in the state. Ronan has a very tough team as well. After that, things are wide open and we will be trying for a top-three finish.

"These goals can be accomplished and we will need a big performance from everyone on the team to pull it off. We are hoping for the best," Gasche said.

Kat spikers earn 3-2 win over Bigfork

By JOE SOVA

Hungry Horse News

Sparked by the play of junior Amanda Millard in the deciding game, Columbia Falls earned a 3-2 victory over Bigfork in Northwestern A Conference volleyball on Friday (Oct. 5) in Bigfork. Game scores were 25-20, 26-24, 13-25, 19-25, 16-14.

That was the second five-game match in as many days for the Wildcats. On Thursday (Oct. 4), Polson rallied for a 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 25-19, 15-13 win.

With the split, CFHS is 3-5 in league matches.

In non-conference action Tuesday in Kalispell, class AA Glacier swept the Cats, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23.

That was the first of a string of non-conference matches for the Kats. They play eight pool-play matches Friday in the Missoula tournament, then go into bracket action on Saturday (Oct. 13).

Against visiting Polson, the Kats took a 2-1 lead after dropping the first game. But the Pirates rallied, taking wins in the fourth and fifth games.

CFHS coach Addy Hines saw improved passing and communication in the match, two area of concern.

Alyssa Ladenburg had another strong game at the net, leading the Kats with 14 kills. Auttem Osborne added nine. Brooke Cady had two blocks. Sarah Marcille had 36 set assists. Staci Pence led in digs with 23. Sam Ladenburg had four service aces.

After CFHS won the first two games Friday, Bigfork took the next two to force a deciding game. A key to that game, according to Hines, was the play of Millard at the net.

"It was nice to have a different attacker," Hines said of Millard. "She got some critical kills when we needed them."

Bigfork's 6-foot-2 Alyssa Fierro led the Vals with 17 kills and seven blocks, but Hines indicated that her team defended her pretty well.

"They got some touches on her. The girls moved to where they needed to be," Hines said.

"Everybody played really solid. They played as a team," the coach said. "We served tough. We got some great digs in the back row. They were really out there hustling."

Alyssa Ladenburg led the Kats with 11 kills and 11 digs. Shiloh Knudsen had three blocks. Marcille dished out 24 assists. Sam Ladenburg had three aces.