Runners post solid times at unique race in Helena

The Bulldog cross country runners participated in the Capital City 7 of 7 race in Helena last Thursday wherein athletes from a range of school divisions, from AA to C, ran in a series of varsity races.

The number seven runners compete together, the number six runners have their own race, all the way to the number one runners. Whitefish coach Richard Menicke described the format as “fun and unique.”

“Maeve Ingelfinger and Maggie Pulsifer paced the girls team with strong outings in the No. 2 and No. 3 races,” Menicke said. “Freshman Maci Brennan and sophomore Kellie Klepper continue to improve and raced well.”

Running in the No. 2 position, Ingelfinger finished in 18th place with a time of 22:04 while Pulsifer, in the third race, ran a 22:52 to take 17th place.

The top runner in the girls’ races was Karis Brightwings-Pease from Harding with a time of 18:52.

On the boys’ side, the top two runners for Whitefish, Deneb Linton and Mason Genovese, sat out of the race to allow small injuries to heal.

“The boys No. 3 through No. 7 raced well in their respective fields; they got to mix it up with AA powers and the best of A-B-C,” Menicke said. “Ethan Amick and Reudi Steiner had very strong races, as did Nate Ingelfinger.”

Ingelfinger, the Bulldogs’ number three ran for 15th place with a time of 17:51. Amick, in the number four position, came in fourth place in his race with a 17:41 and Steiner raced as a number five and grabbed seventh place with a time of 18:10.

The top boys runner was Weston Brown of Bozeman who ran the course in 15:41.

“The challenge ahead is to heal small injuries and get the team ready to put it all together the next two Saturdays,” said Coach Menicke. “Our primary goals remain tangible improvement and being at our absolute best at the State Championship on Oct. 22 in Missoula.”

The team races next at the Western A Fall Classic in East Glacier on Saturday, Oct. 15, a race that serves as the Bulldogs’ conference championships.

Results

Boys #1: 1. Weston Brown, Bozeman 15:41. 2. Finneas Colescott, Hellgate 16:10. 3. Greyson Piseno, Billings Central Catholic 16:16.

Whitefish Boys: #3 - Nate Ingelfinger 15th, 17:51. #4 - Ethan Amick 4th, 17:41. #5 - Reudi Steiner 7th, 18:10. #6 - Azure Stolte 19th, 19:28. #7 - Zach Chiarito 23rd, 19:50.

Girls #1: 1. Karis Brightwings-Pease, Hardin 18:52. 2. Claire Rutherford, Gallatin 19:19. 3. Malia Bradford, Sentinel 19:39.

Whitefish Girls: #2 - Maeve Ingelfinger 18th, 22:04. #3 - Maggie Pulsifer 17th, 22:52. #4 - Hazel Gawe 25th, 23:56. #5 - Maci Brennan 17th, 23:29. #7 - Kellie Klepper 17th, 23:40.