Schulz sweeps sprints at state

Make that eight individual gold medals for sprinter Marlow Schulz.

The Whitefish junior swept the short-distance races last weekend at the Class A state meet in Laurel for the second time in as many seasons. Her elite performance led the Lady Dogs to a fourth-place finish overall.

“It’s incredible,” her father and Whitefish coach Derek Schulz said. “I’ve coached for 20 years and I don’t know of a Flathead girl sweeping the sprints. Now Marlow’s done it twice.”

The highlight of the meet came in the 400 dash. Schulz outlasted Sadi Henderson, of Corvallis, while also breaking a 35-year-old state record with her time of 56.13.

“Probably one of the reasons she ran so well was that the competition level was so high,” coach Schulz said. “That was the race she was looking forward to the most.”

The old record of 56.80 was set in 1978 by Judith Widey, of Hamilton.

Schulz also broke a long-standing school record in the 200, again edging Henderson, of Corvallis.

Another Lady Dog highlight came from the second-place 4x100 relay team. Phoebe Guercio, Allie Schulz, Sarah Craven and Schulz teamed up to set a new school record in the event with a 49.63.

Sarah Latcham was the only other Lady Bulldog to score points. Latcham grabbed fourth in the 800 with a 2:22.74.

“She ran a great race,” Schulz said. “It was strategically perfect.”

Whitefish tallied 44 points total at the state meet. Corvallis defended their team Class A title, winning it with 185.5 points.

“I’m really proud of all of the kids,” Schulz said. “They all competed really well. To get to that level, it’s where the elite rise up.”

Team scores -- Corvallis 185.5, Sidney 60.5, Belgrade 54, Whitefish 44, Dillon 37, Billigns Central 24, Laurel 19, Anaconda 18, Hardin 17.5, Hamilton 12, Columbia Falls 10, Miles City 8, Frenchtown 7, Havre 7, Lewistown 6, Polson 6, Libby 4, Livingston 4, Butte Central 2, Glendive 1.

100 -- Marlow Schulz, Whi, 12.66; Said Henderson, Cor, 12.77; Anna DiGiallonardo, Pol, 12.9; Shaina Healey, BilC, 13.06; Isis Covington, Liv, 13.1; Madison Page, Bel, 13.18.

200 -- Marlow Schulz, Whi, 25.16; Sadi Henderson, Cor, 25.56; Katelyn Frost, Cor, 26.08; Holly Anderson, Dil, 26.41; Madeline Orrell, Bel, 26.43; Cierra Lamey, Dil, 26.76.

400  — Marlow Schulz, Whi, 56.13; Sadi Henderson, Cor, 56.48; Lakyn Connors, Cor, 59.02; Cierra Lamey, Dil, 59.80; Sammy Elliott, BilC, 1:00.34; Tanna Holiday, Bel, 1:00.72.

800 — Ayden Eickhoff, Cor, 2:15.97; Sammy Elliott, BilC, 2:19.62; Sadie Reddick, Bel, 2:22.03; Sarah Latcham, Whi, 2:22.74; Hanna Smith, Cor, 2:24.12; Peyton Filius, Hav, 2:24.37.

400 relay -- Corvallis 49.51, Whitefish 49.63, Belgrade 50.31, Dillon 50.79, Lewistown 50.8, Billings Central 51.01.

1,600 relay -- Corvallis 4:00.63, Belgrade 4;05.31, Dillon 4:08.92, Billings Central 4:09.13, Whitefish 4:10.43, Frenchtown 4:13.64.