Hometown jumper reaches record heights

Whitefish High School alum Erin Wilde is now a junior at the University of Montana, racking up awards and soaring over high bars. 

Last month, Wilde set a school record in the high jump and finished first in the 2025 Big Sky Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship for the second time. She has also won the outdoor championships twice. Wilde was named Big Sky Conference Women’s Field Athlete of the Week for the second time. 

After winning the indoor championships in Flagstaff with a jump of 5 feet 10 and ¾ inches, a personal and school record, she was able to clear the bar at 6 feet. She now holds the school record which had stood for 31 years. 

“I definitely feel my float time when I'm over the bar,” Wilde said. “It kind of feels like you're going in slow motion and just the airtime you get, it's kind of awesome to feel.” 

Her easy-going nature is somewhat uncommon in athletes at her level but her coach at UM, Erica Fraley, sees it as an advantage. 

“She has joy when she's jumping,” said Fraley “Angst is kind of a grounding force and joy is uplifting. As a high jumper, that joy in her jumping really helps her."  

Wilde said she was a very competitive person, even at a very young age, and described herself at that time as a “stubborn little kid.” She credits that trait, as well as her desire to be involved in everything, with getting her where she is today. 

"I would say she is very competitive in a way that's just fun,” Fraley added. “It's a very positive kind of competitiveness. She's like a butterfly. She just enjoys the moment.” 

When she was a Bulldog, Wilde jumped for the track team, ran cross country, played volleyball and, her favorite, basketball. She believes her competitive nature has helped her get to where she is in her career and even though she’s been competing in the high jump for years, she still loves it.  

"She's very good at showing up every day and doing what's asked of her and with a great attitude,” Fraley said of Wilde. “That gets you a win right off the bat.” 

Wilde has experienced some struggles that have helped her mature and learn to process her feelings more productively. Fraley noted that Wilde is good at not taking things too seriously, but her relaxed attitude was hard-earned. 

“I used to be like a Chihuahua. I would just shake and be nervous. It was so hard for me to focus up on these big meets ... because I felt so little,” Wilde said. “I just kind of grew into myself and who I am as a person, and I just accepted the fact that when I go to the meets, everybody's going to be taller than me.” 

While Wilde is 5 foot 8 inches, she said most of the other high jumpers are six feet tall. 

“She gets nervous, just like anybody else does, but I think she's really learned to process that nervousness in a way that brings her back to the present and helps her enjoy the moment,” Fraley said. 

Aside from occasional nerves, Wilde also deals with scoliosis, a condition which could have been a limiting factor, but her can-do attitude hasn’t allowed it to be. 

“I think that I've had some hardships that have helped me pursue a lot and change my mindset,” Wilde said. "I think college sports changed my mindset a lot with just having goals and dreams and accomplishing them. 

“I know how to control my thoughts and everything I do just a little bit better than when I was younger,” Wilde added. 

Oftentimes, athletes must travel far from home to continue excelling in their sport. In Wilde’s case, she is not the only one who is happy she chose to attend UM. Kirk, Wilde’s father, said he is “extremely grateful” his daughter chose to stay close to home. 

“It’s hard to say how proud I am of her and what she’s overcome and accomplished and continues to accomplish,” said Kirk. “It’s just amazing.” 

Fraley is also happy that Wilde chose to join the Grizzlies. 

“It's really fun to have someone local that's as good as Erin,” Fraley said. “I wish every athlete could experience what she has, being close to home and being able to take that high school success through to college.”
 

Wilde said the main reason she chose to stay close was her family, especially her eight-year-old brother, Carter.
 

Wilde’s kin often goes to meets in Missoula and several members of her family, including grandparents, aunts and uncles, traveled to the Big Sky Indoor Championship in Flagstaff to see her compete. 

“Carter can go see and witness her doing these incredible things. It definitely has an impact on him and it’s just cool to see,” Kirk said. “She's bringing family together that we haven't seen in a while. It’s definitely bigger than track.”  

    Erin Wilde atop the podium at the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships in Flagstaff. (Photo provided)