Latcham leads XC team at Idaho

Lady Bulldog runner Sarah Latcham posted a “breakthrough” performance on Saturday to finished eighth overall at a competitive cross-country race in Athol, Idaho against 21 teams from across the Pacific Northwest.

Latcham’s time of 19:39 was easily her personal best.

“She stepped up to meet the competition,” Whitefish coach Sara Brist said.

Latcham’s race helped the girls varsity team finish in 11th place in team scoring.

Brist noted that Payton Twete and Sloan Ellis continue to improve, and that Maya Gordon, Sarah Perez and Kennah Fuller all had nice races, as well.

Sophomore runners Katie Smith and Annika Gordon both ran well enough to earn their positions on the varsity squad for the next meet in Ronan.

The boys varsity team finished in ninth place.

They were led once again by Thomas Henson (28th in 17:08.) He was followed by EJ Havens (36th, 17:31) and Keaton Grove (38th, 17:35)

“These three continue to lead our team,” Brist said. “Thomas ran with a lot of confidence. He improved quite a bit from the last time he ran on this course.”

Keaton Nicholson, Bradley Gerner and Ethan Potthoff all had nice improvements, as well.

“I was especially impressed with the performances of Bradley and Ethan,” Brist said. “Both were running on the varsity for the first time. They did a fantastic job being thrown into the fire in such a large race. Both young runners are showing that they have a lot of talent for distance running, which will really help us out with our team depth.”

Senior Caleb Knox ran well enough to earn his way back on to the varsity seven.

“With him in our lineup we have a very solid top four,” Brist said. “I’d like to think that we will have five or six others trying to grab the fifth, six and seven spots on our top seven. That will really help us when we reach the important meets in October.”

The Whitefish teams will be back in action this Friday at the Ronan Invitational.

Boys results:

28. Thomas Henson 17:08.6

36. EJ Havens 17:31.1

38. Keaton Grove 17:35.0

85. Keaton Nicholson 18:52.1

86. Bradley Gerner 18:53.0

100. Ethan Potthoff 19:19.4

113.Holden Roberts 19:50.9

Girls results:

8. Sarah Latcham 19:39.7

50. Peyton Twete 21:57.1

58. Sloan Ellis 22:12.6

70. Maya Gordon 23:26.6

86. Sara Parez 24:33.2

87. Kennah Fuller 24:35.4

100. Adia Saurey 26:43.0