Mundel breaks school cross-country record

The Columbia Falls girls cross-country team had a great outing at the Whitefish Invitational on Oct. 6, as Samantha Mundel set a new school record in the event. The Wildkats took second place, edged by the rival Lady Bulldogs by just two points.

Mundel was the top runner for the girls, taking second with a time of 19:08. Meredith Stolte was fifth at 19:48, Tori Price was eighth at 20:21, Carlee Brown was ninth at 20:26, Brittany Swartz was 19th at 22:02, Mary Gross was 25th at 23:45, and Emily Getts was 29th at 24:47.

On the boys side, the Cats were led by Zayne Brunz who took eighth with a time of 16:52. It was the first time Brunz broke into the 16-minute bracket this season. The boys took fourth overall.

Brunz was followed by Seth McCall, 13th at 17:35; Dalton Nelson, 19th at 18:28; Jayce Fagerland, 20th at 18:33; Kyler Burns, 30th at 18:45; Zac Fry, 32nd at 18:47; Jacob Nelson, 37th at 19:18; Michael Sommers, 43rd at 19:47; and Michael Nicosia, 45th at 20:03.

“Mundel broke the school record for cross-country,” coach Richard Menicke said. “Sam’s running really well. That was a tremendous effort.”

All the girls ran lifetime best times.

“We also had a really great showing from the boys,” Menicke said.

Menicke said he was pleased with Burns’ time, as he ran a personal best.

The teams begin post-season competition at the divisional tournament in Frenchtown on Saturday. The girls will be challenged by Whitefish and Polson. The boys can hope for second against a strong Whitefish squad.