Williams wins Whitefish Invite

That's one way to tune up for the cross country conference championship. Sophomore Derrick Williams won the Whitefish Invitational last Saturday with a time of 16:24. Teammate Justin Whitman was third with a time of 16:25 and brother Shawn Whitman was fourth with a 16:27.

Williams time was his best of the season so far.

"He showed some real wheels down the stretch," said coach Richard Menicke. "I'm happy for him."

Justin Whitman's time also tied for his season best. Both teams had runners out with the flu, The Jessat brothers didn't run the race, Menicke said.

Kodiak Gimbel also had a solid race with a time of 17:40 — his best of the year.

The boys team took second at the event while the girls took third in a race that saw temperatures in the 20s.

Frenchtown won the boys meet and Whitefish won the girls.

On the girls side, Jinise Osborne was eighth with a time of 19:50, Madison Stolte was 16th with a 21:24, Kaylin Carvey, was 17th with a 21:31, Cami Casazza was 19th with a 21:46, Leesa Benner was 21st with a 21:57, and Tessa Cowan, was 22nd with a 22:01.

Osborne's time was a personal best and Menicke was also pleased with Casazza's time, as she continues to shave off the seconds and become a factor on the team.

"She ran real well," he said. "She's working real hard."