OPINION: Bigfork runner gets credit for good citizenship, too

Last Saturday, at the Mountain West Classic, a couple thousand cross-country runners descended upon the University of Montana Golf Course.  

It was an excellent day. No smoke and crystal blue skies, we couldn’t ask for a better day. At one of the best meets in the entire Northwest spectators were treated to many fine performances. I am writing this letter to point out the “performance” of one athlete in particular, but not for her athletic accomplishments. 

One of my runners had been given a present from his father, a $100 bill. He had it in his hand as he was cheering on one our athletes during the girls junior high race. In his excitement he dropped the bill and ran off, only realizing later that he had dropped it. There was no way he would get it back. It was the last race of the day, and most people were leaving the golf course. 

When I heard about it, I ran to the race announcer (Tony Banovich) and asked whether there was a lost and found. When I told him what my runner lost, he said I should talk to Steve Morley, which I thought was strange as he was the father of Bryn and Logan, who were running for Bigfork that day in earlier races. He made an announcement and we met almost immediately by the finish line. 

His daughter Bryn had picked up the bill at the base of the hill. She and her father had just minutes earlier reported to the announcers’ booth to tell them what they found. This made my runner’s entire weekend (his mom was none too happy with him — but very relieved and excited later when she found out!). 

Bryn is a credit to her family and Bigfork High School. Regardless of her running accolades, her honesty reflects extremely well on not only herself but the entire running community. The Darby cross-country team wishes her success in the course of her season. Go Vikes! —Steve Gideon, Darby High School coach and history teacher