Whitefish runners sweep divisional

by The Daily Inter Lake
| October 17, 2010 2:00 AM

LIBBY - The Whitefish cross country programs regained their place atop Northwestern A, sweeping the divisional meet for the first time since the program did it in 2006-'07.

The three-time defending state champion girls team, led by first-place finisher Jessica Sagen, placed five girls in the top eight and scored 24 points to earn the program's fifth divisional victory in a row on Saturday.

The boys team unseeded two-time defending divisional champs and defending state champs Columbia Falls, scoring 40 points to the Wildcats' 50.

Sagen, a senior, broke the Whitefish school record of 18:34 set by Loni Hanson last season, clocking 18:08. Whitefish went 4-5-6 with Carly Schwickert, Bailey Eaton and Stella Holt. Jackie Cassidy, who was eighth, rounded out the top five for WHS.

"It was just one of those solid days all around and the kids took advantage," Whitefish coach Bill Brist said. "If we can keep our luck going, the girls are certainly good enough to be tough next weekend (at the state meet). You never know for sure. Going in we've got the goods, whether or not we can deliver sometimes takes a little more luck."

Columbia Falls' Derrick Williams won the boys race in 16:16, edging teammate Justin Whitman (16:19). Whitefish's Nathan Knox was third followed by teammate Fischer Gangemi.

"In a very deep and talented field, (Williams and Whitman) ran a very smart and fast race. I'm really proud of both their efforts," Columbia Falls coach Richard Menicke said.

The state meet is next Saturday at the Bill Roberts Golf Course in Helena.

Boys

Whitefish 40, Columbia Falls 50, Polson 69, Ronan 83, Libby 110

1. Derrick Williams, CF, 16:16; 2. Justin Whitman, CF, 16:19; 3. Nathan Knox, WF, 16:23; 4. Fischer Gangemi, WF, 16:26; 5. Jimmy Biorge, P, 16:29; 6. Travis Hayes, P, 16:31; 7. Alex Nystrom, P, 16:33; 8. Jacob Thomas, L, 16:35; 9. Jace Kalbfleisch, WF, 16:35; 10. Mathias Komarek, WF, 16:38; 11. Cody Johnson, R, 16:47; 12. Zayne Brunz, CF, 16:50; 13. James Ratzloff, CF, 17:04; 14. J. Heinrichs, WF, 17:15; 15. Dylan Berget, L, 17:15; 16. Kevin Wroblewski, R, 17:21; 17. Danny Romero, R, 17:29; 18. Will Holdhusen, WF, 17:32; 19. Brady Oakland, R, 17:37; 20. Jordan Franklin, R, 17:52; 21. Dietrich Perchy, WF, 17:53; 22. Pascal Jessat, CF, 17:59; 23. Seth McCall, CF, 18:00; 24. Mike Bournstein, P, 18:16; 25. Kody Berget, L, 18:22; 26. Edmond Dupuis, R, 18:24; 27. Reed Hovenkotter, P, 18:26; 28. Kohl Thompson, CF, 18:26; 29. Tel Motichka, P, 18:33; 30. W. Lott, L, 18:35; 31. Eric Malmquist, R, 18:43; 32. Colton Crismore, L, 19:00; 33. Cash Sisler, P, 19:36; 34. Ben Graziano, L, 20:22; 35, Zach Carlson, L, 21:06.

Girls

Whitefish 24, Polson 34, Columbia Falls 68, Ronan 103

1. Jessica Sagen, WF, 18:08; 2. Claudia Hewston, P, 18:14; 3. Mesa Starkey, P, 18:39; 4. Carly Schwickert, WF, 18:44; 5. Bailey Eaton, WF, 19:09; 6. Stella Holt, WF, 19:18; 7. Tegan Bauer, P, 19:19; 8. Jackie Cassidy, WF, 19:39; 9. Jinise Osborne, CF, 19:53; 10. Whitney Zimmerman, P, 20:34; 11. Ashley Grandchamp, R, 20:48; 12. Alisha Jore, P, 20:57; 13. Nikki Moser, CF, 21:06; 14. Alexas Young, CF, 21:11; 15. Madison Stolte, CF, 21:13; 16. Anne Gustenhoff, WF, 21:24; 17. Cami Casazza, CF, 21:28; 18. Jade Grey, R, 21:29; 19. Emma Marchetti, WF, 21:47; 20. Hallie Hovenkotter, P, 22:09; 21. Tessa Cowan, CF, 22:13; 22. Marlee Seemann, P, 22:18; 23. Kiana Howell, R, 22:54; 24. Caroline Hansford, CF, 23:25; 25. Rachel Hardy, R, 24:01; 26. Haley Walston, R, 27. Emily Harenburg, R, 26:28; 28. Kaitlyn Reinstma, L, 26:37; 29. Christen Falcon, R, 26:50; 30. Keri Lindgren, L, 31:12.