Lady harriers claim team title

By DAVID ERICKSON

Whitefish Pilot

There was a lot of gold at the finish line on Saturday, as the Whitefish girls team took first place at the annual Flathead Invitational cross-country meet at Kidsports Complex in Kalispell.

"I thought the young ladies did a fantastic job representing their team and their school. For us to come out on top with such strong competition really says a lot for this team," said head coach Bill Brist. "There were some great runners and strong teams in attendance. It's always nice to see our group compete with them. This team is beginning to realize that they have the ability to achieve greatness. They are beginning to believe that they belong at the front of the race. It's that kind of confidence that will help them to reach their goals this season."

Senior Lauren Kuennen led the Lady Bulldogs with her eighth place finish. Teammate Loni Hanson wasn't far behind in ninth position.

"Lauren had a really nice race, she likes the challenge of the tougher courses," Brist said. "She's a strong runner who has the ability to combine leg speed with endurance. She's done a lot since last season and it shows. I think she's starting to look at the runners in front of her. That can only mean even better things for her and our team."

Brist pointed out that the course in Kalispell is one of the tougher places to run in the state.

"It's hilly and not particularly fast. Our third and fourth runners, Clare Miller and Stella Holt, finished well in 11th and 14th positions," he said. "I think that both will continue to improve. Clare is a seasoned vet with this being her fourth year on the Bulldog varsity. I think that she'll continue to move up through the season. Freshman Stella Holt continues to impress me with her poise, especially for a freshman. She's a fighter who never gives up. She fun to watch."

The boys team ran to a ninth place in the team standings. Missoula Hellgate won the meet, edging host Flathead for the team title.

"I think we ran better as a team than we did last year at the same meet. I also think we have a ways to go in order for this team to reach it's full potential," Brist said. "When that happens, I think the boys will be an impressive group."

"We did get a chance to get a look at a couple of the top teams in the state with Browning and Hamilton. Both looked pretty tough. I think if we're going to have a chance to catch them later in the season, we're going to have to figure out a new race plan," he said.

The boys were led by junior Drew Coco with a time of 16:43. Senior Erik Anderson was the second Bulldog across the line, in 28th place, while the rest of the Whitefish runners came across in a pack with Patrick McGunagle, Nick Donovan, Byron Bard, Michael Samdahl and Wes Beogher.

Freshman Baxter Graham had a really nice run in the junior varsity section of the meet.

Flathead Invitational

Boys

Team totals — Missoula Hellgate 83, Flathead 84, Missoula Sentinel 138, Missoula Big Sky 138, Browning 142, Hamilton 142, Glacier 170, Thompson Falls 194, Whitefish 205, Great Falls C.M. Russell 232, Polson 278, Loyola Sacred Heart 323, Dillon 331, Ronan 368, Plains 409, Great Falls High 477, Cut Bank 513

Individuals — 8th Drew Coco, Whitefish 16:43; 28th Erik Anderson, 17:43; 56th Pat McGunagle, 18:27; 60th Nick Donovan, 18:34; 62nd Michael Samdahl, 18:36; 68th Byron Bard, 18:48; 99th Wes Beogher, 19:42.

Girls

Team totals — Whitefish 73, Missoula Big Sky 110, Great Falls C.M. Russell 128, Missoula Hellgate 152, Flathead 164, Ronan 173, Glacier 188, Hamilton 219, Missoula Sentinel 234, Dillon 236, Polson 237, Great Falls High 238, Cut Bank 285, Belt 330, Thompson Falls 346

Individuals — 8th Lauren Kuennen, Whitefish 20:19; 9th Loni Hanson, Whitefish 20:23; 13th Clare Miller, Whitefish 20:49; 15th Stella Holt, Whitefish 21:03; 28th Beth Donovan, 21:35; 35th Kelly Beiser, 21:49; 43rd Bailey Eaton, 22:04.