LETTER: In praise of greatest local runners

Flathead’s Jake Perrin certainly must be congratulated for being one of the greatest distance runners, winning both the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters and holding the all-class record, as of now, in both races.

As a former cross-country coach in Eureka, I have followed the sport closely and have tremendous respect for the distance coaching staff at Flathead High.

Shannon Butler, running for Eureka, must also be considered as one of the best distance runners to come out of Montana. Shannon holds the all-class three-mile cross country record since 1985, even though the race has been run in the state on different courses. No athlete has posted a faster three-mile time. Shannon was never defeated in the three-mile in Montana. He was also named Gatorade Athlete of the Year.

Shannon went on to run for Montana State and won 12 Big Sky championships and was never defeated in the Big Sky, winning the mile, the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters during his Bobcat running career.

Shannon later went on to win both collegiate NCAA 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter races. Shannon was voted into the Montana State Hall of Fame.

I feel both these great distance runners should share being The Two Greatest Male Distance Runners to ever come out of the state at this time.

Jake Perrin, congratulations on your great accomplishment as a distance runner. The best of luck to your future running for Gonzaga.

—David McFadyean, Eureka