Whitefish scores piles of points at Bigfork Invite

The Whitefish Bulldogs delivered a powerful all-around performance at the Bigfork Invitational on Saturday, April 5, with the boys team claiming first place in team scoring and the girls team securing a strong third-place finish among a competitive field.

Led by standout senior Simon Douglas, the Bulldog boys controlled the distance events and showcased impressive depth across sprints, relays and field events.

Douglas dominated the long-distance races, winning both the 1,600 meters in 4:35.19 and the 3200 meters in a personal best 10:18.44. His victories were key in building momentum for the Bulldogs, who piled up points throughout the day.

In the sprints, senior Riley Zetooney was a consistent top finisher, placing second in the 100 meters with a personal record of 11.54 and earning another second-place finish in the 200 meters at 23.96. He also anchored the 4x100 relay team, which won with a personal record of 45.04. Zetooney teamed up with Colby Minton, Scott Dalen and Ethan Amick in the victory.

The Bulldogs also took the top spot in the 4x400 relay. The team of Logan Heyne, Preston McPherson, Amick and Landree Aurand crossed the line in 3:42.36, another PR performance.

In the 400 meters, Whitefish showcased its strength with a 2-3-4-5 finish. Aurand led the way with a personal-best 57.47, followed by Cooper Akey (58.82), Scott Schram (59.20), and Scott Dalen (59.27). Meanwhile, McPherson added a third-place finish in the 800 (2:09.39) and a fifth-place effort in the 1600 (5:01.17 PR).

Whitefish’s dominance extended to the field events. In the pole vault, Brenden Schauerhamer cleared 11 feet for a PR and a third-place finish, while teammates Cameron Diehl and Bodee Hanson also placed in the top five.

Junior Anderson Barrile took sixth in the discus with a personal best of 112’3” and placing ninth in the shot put.

In the triple jump, Colt Moss recorded a season-best 34-2 to finish eighth, while Cooper Akey also cracked the top 10 in the long jump.

On the girls’ side, senior Rachael Wilmot led the way with commanding wins in both the 100 meters (12.73) and 200 meters (26.08), each a season-best time. She also anchored the first-place 4x400 relay squad, which clocked in at 4:17.53 — a season best. Joining Wilmot on the victorious relay were Ginger Bergland, Stella Frisbee, and Anna Boysen.

The Lady Bulldogs dominated the sprints. Boysen was second in the 100 (13.56) and third in the 200 (28.29), while junior Mila Maddock added a third-place finish in the 100 (13.68). Bergland, a freshman, earned second in the 200 with a personal-best 27.25 and claimed victory in the 100-meter hurdles with a PR of 17.48.

Sophomore Sophia Douglas contributed to the distance efforts with a third-place finish in the 1600 meters (6:05.20 PR) and second in the 3200 (13:15.32 PR). In the 800 meters, Sierra Gibb finished second with a season-best 2:46.17.

Freshman Grace Sliman cleared 4-8 to win the high jump, tying with teammate Margaret Zonich for top honors. Zonich also placed third in the 300-meter hurdles. Chantry Krack earned a podium spot in the triple jump, taking third with a personal-best leap of 30’0”.

The girls also took third in the 4x100 relay with a time of 55.61. The relay included Arnica Beale, Ali Grube, Maddock and Sliman.

    Senior Preston McPherson competes in the men's 400 meter dash on Tuesday, April 1. (Matt Weller photo)
  

    Freshman Ginger Bergland competes in women's varsity high jump on April 1. (Matt Weller photo)