Brist honored for coaching XC team

First-year head coach Sara Brist helped bring Whitefish High School its first boys cross country Class A state title this past fall. She was applauded for the team’s success recently when she was honored as boys cross country Coach of the Year by the Montana Coaches Association.

The Bulldogs seemingly came out of nowhere to win a state title in 2012. The team, led by seniors Fischer Gangemi and Jace Kalbflesich, quietly built momentum through the season and peaked at the state meet.

“We won some meets and placed well, but there wasn’t a big target on our backs,” Brist said about the boys season. “We didn’t have the expectations, so we could sneak up on other teams.”

Brist took over as head coach this fall after her husband and former cross country coach, Bill Brist, left to coach at the University of Great Falls. Sara said taking on the head coaching job was a personal challenge.

“It wanted to see if I could do it,” she said. “I helped Bill for so many years, to be on my own was a challenge. It’s a lot of work, but it was fun to meet that challenge.”

She said the Coach of the Year award was an honor, and that the team trained hard to get the state title.

“It’s nice to have good kids to work with,” she said.

Next season looks promising, as well.

“I’m excited to be back,” Brist said. “We lose some great seniors, but we have a lot of talent left in the program. Juniors and sophomores will have to step up.”

She thanked the assistant coaches, Aldo Kuntz and Janna Rozar, for helping throughout the season.

“We have a great group, which makes it easier,” Brist said.

Whitefish athletic director Jackie Fuller praised the program and Brist’s award.

“It’s quite the honor for Sara, the assistants and the kids in the program,” Fuller said. “Sara works extremely hard and surrounds herself with great people.

“We’re lucky to have such a strong program with strong participants and coaches.”