XC girls take first in Polson

The Whitefish girls cross country team took home gold at the Mission Shadow Duels in Polson.

Both the girls varsity and junior varsity won in overall team scoring.

Jessica Henson took fourth with a time of 20:02, putting her 15th on the Whitefish program’s fastest times list.

Freshman Alie Simpson took 17th with a personal record 21:30 that pushed the team over the top.

On the boys side, the team as a whole took third.

Miles Vrentas led the way with an 11th place finish, and Bridger Gaertner finished just behind at 13th.

Two freshmen, Jacob Henson (21) and Colter Gaertner (24) raced to top 25-finishes.

“Our kids ran exceptionally well today after a challenging week of training; lots of personal bests,” head coach Richard Menicke said. “Our freshmen are running very well, figuring out how to race the longer distance.”

The team’s next race is Thursday at the Thompson Falls Invite.

The following week they’ll host their home invite on Sept. 25. That will begin at 3 p.m. at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

Mission Shadow Duels

Silver Fox Golf Course

Boys

Official Team Scores

1. Columbia Falls 58

2. Frenchtown 79

3. Whitefish 85

4. Hamilton 93

5. Ronan 115

Individuals

11. Miles Vrentas 17:38.7

13. Bridger Gaertner 17:41.0

19. Jacob Bailey 18:15.2

21. Jacob Henson 18:23.0

24. Colter Gaertner 18:31.5

50. Tyler Dunnagan 19:35.0

59. Zack Dunnagan 19:58.1

Girls

Official Team Scores

1. Whitefish 67

2. Beaverhead County 76

3. Polson 78

4. Frenchtown 92

5. Bigfork 115

Individuals

4. Jessica Henson 20:02.6

5. Josephine Vardell 20:25.4

9. Jade Greenberg 20:43.3

17. Alie Simpson 21:30.0

40. Erin Wilde 23:40.5