Coco sets new WHS record at Missoula track meet; team shines

Bulldogs bring home seven event champs from Bigfork; A.R.M. meet this Saturday

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The Bulldogs had a fantastic Tuesday down in Missoula, according to head coach Derek Schulz.

"The competitiveness of the athletes was remarkable," he said.

Drew Coco, a Whitefish junior, set a new school mark with a time of 9:48.2 in the 3,200 meter race, earning him first place. Eddie Heider held the old record.

Junior Bulldog Aaron Tkachyk was the overall champion in the long jump with a 21'1".

"In my 16 years coaching, it was only the third or fourth time I've seen a person go over 21 feet," Shulz said.

Willie Roche took fifth in the long jump with a 19'6", and sixth in the high jump.

For the girls, Lauren Kuennen took third in the 1,600 and fourth in the 800.

Freshman Bailey Eaton took fourth in the 3,200, with a time of 12:27.9, shaving 30 seconds of her personal best.Hailey Farmin took fifth in the long jump, and the girls 4x400 relay team took fifth place.

Last Tuesday, The Whitefish Track and Field team was represented by seven different event champions at the Bigfork Relays, the most by any team. Browning, Columbia Falls and Bigfork competed in the event.

On the boys side, Dustin Beck won the javelin throw with a 148-9. Kaleb Prestegaard won the pole vault with a 13-0. Kevin McDowell took first in the shot put with a 43-6, and Michael Samdahl won the triple jump with a 36-11. It was a strong showing for the boys.

For the girls, Ashley Ferda won the javelin throw for the first time this year with 100-1. Lauren Standberry won the high jump with a 4-2, and Hailey Farmin took first in the long jump with a 13-10.5.

The Bulldog track team will be hosting the annual A.R.M. Meet this Saturday at Whitefish High School. Events are set to begin at 10 a.m.