Harriers sweep Eureka cross-country meet
Both the boys and girls teams won the team titles at the Eureka Invitational Cross Country meet last Friday at the Indian Springs Ranch course.
The boys continued their example of team-packing by placing their top five within a 28-second spread. Nathan Knox led the team in fifth place, with teammates Fischer Gangemi sixth, Jace Kalbfleisch seventh, Will Holdhusen eighth and Dietrich Perchy 10th.
"There were good runners at this meet," Whitefish coach Bill Brist said. "This was a test of our team strength, which happens to be our packing ability. Our runners are all pretty close in ability right now. If they can continue to improve throughout the season together as this pack, they should continue to have success."
Brist described the Whitefish boys team as "basically a group with ten legs."
"It's hard to talk about individuals right now with this boys team," he said. "I'm sure that will change in the next few meet."
Elias Taylor and Tanner Brock both ran on the top-seven squad for the first time this year and finished in 16th and 17th positions, respectively.
"Elias and Tanner are part of our youth movement," Brist said. "We're lucky to have a lot of talented sophomore and freshmen competitors this season. They're gathering confidence and experience for the future of this boys team."
Jessica Sagen had a tremendous day at the Eureka Invitational, winning the individual title with a new course record. The Lady Bulldogs won the girls portion of the meet as well.
Sagen was followed closely by former course record-holder and teammate Bailey Eaton, second in 19:45. Carly Schwickert ran a fantastic race to finish in third at 19:59. Stella Holt, fourth, and Jackie Cassidy, sixth, rounded out the team scoring.
"Jessica ran very well today," Brist said. "She and Bailey are both top runners and will compete every time they have an opportunity. Bailey beat her own time from last year but was unable to hang on to Jessica to the tape. It was an impressive run for both young ladies."
Brist said Schwickert may have had the best performance of all.
"For her to finish within 20 seconds of our top-two on such a tough course is amazing," he said. "She has a lot of ability and a lot of speed. Having her anywhere near the front of a race can only mean good things for our team."
Brist credited Emma Marchetti and Maya Gordon with good races, finishing at ninth and 15th.
"Emma continues to improve — that's what we want out of our No. 6. It won't be long and she'll be where she wants to be," he said. "Maya ran on our varsity for the first time and handled it well for a freshman. I think that she can do some great things as a runner. She doesn't seem to be fazed at all by running in the faster race."
Next up for Whitefish will be the Mountain West Classic in Missoula on Saturday, with teams from all over the Pacific Northwest and 250 to 400 runners in each race.
"We're looking forward to seeing how we stack up with the rest of the teams in the State," Brist said. "Most of the Class A schools attend the meet, so it gives us a good look at our competition. Our girls team has had a lot of success at this meet competing against all comers. Last year they were fifth, and they finished third two seasons ago. I think they're looking forward to showing the rest of the region that they can run with just about everyone."
Eureka Invitational
Boys
Whitefish 36, Plains 52, St. Ignatius 83, Thompson Falls 85, Eureka 89
Nathan Knox, 5th, 18:34
Fischer Gangemi, 6th, 18:36
Jace Kalbfleisch, 7th, 18:48
Will Holdhusen, 8th, 18:55
Dietrich Perchy, 10th, 19:02
Girls
Whitefish 16 (other schools did not field full teams)
Jessica Sagen, 1st, 19:41
Bailey Eaton, 2nd. 19:45
Carly Schwickert, 3rd, 19:59
Stella Holt, 4th, 20:31
Jackie Cassidy, 6th, 21:06
Emma Marchetti, 9th, 22:58
Maya Gordon, 15th, 25:40