Champs at last!

The Bulldogs accomplished on Saturday what no other Whitefish boys cross-country team in history had been able to pull off. The Bulldogs emerged with the school’s first Class A team title at the 49th annual Montana State High School Cross Country Championships in Helena.

The boys were led by seniors Fischer Gangemi (4th) and Jace Kalbfleisch (5th). The two finished in the top five to earn All-State honors.

Caleb Knox (20th) and Keaton Grove (23rd) helped the green and gold with their top-25 finishes. Thomas Henson (44th), Waylon Roberts (45th) and Elias Taylor (50th) all helped to solidify the win with their finishes. Keaton Nicholson and Zach Blumhardt were alternates for the boys state team.

The Whitefish boys team first started running cross country in 1997. They earned the third place trophy in 2000, 2006 and 2007 and placed second in 2010.

“Fischer and Jace went out with the lead pack,” said Whitefish coach Sara Brist. “They were both trying their best to win the race individually.”

A tough course in Helena and the windy conditions Saturday made it a challenge.

“They both did a nice job of mixing it up with the best,” Brist said. “By placing in the top five they both did a great job of putting us in the position to fight it out for the title.”

“Hamilton put their top three in the first 11, but Caleb and Keaton came across before their number four to put us in a great position. At that point it was a matter of waiting to see which team’s fifth runner came across first to seal the deal.”

Brist said time seemed to slow as they waited.

“But then we saw the bright gold of our team uniforms come into view,” she said. “Thomas, Waylon and Elias were racing down the finish stretch, and they were all just in front of the final scorer for Hamilton.”

“Our boys have had the opportunity to watch the Lady Bulldog teams win state titles, and it’s been a big goal for them to achieve the same level of success. It’s been an exciting group to work with and I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to help them reach their goal.”

The Bulldogs will take their fire truck ride though downtown Whitefish on Monday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m.

“They’ve been dreaming of the fire truck ride for a long time,” Brist said.

The Lady Bulldogs competed in the very first race of the day. They found the conditions to be tough with not only the weather, but with the strong teams in attendance. Corvallis won the meet for the second straight year, while Whitefish ended up in ninth place.

Sarah Latcham finished in 27th to lead the Whitefish runners. Peyton Twete (42nd) and Barrett Gray (57th) were next across the line for the Lady Bulldogs. Autum Fisher (60th), Sloan Ellis (63rd), Emma Marchetti (73rd) and Samantha Eason (79th) rounded out the team scoring. Andrea Lamoureux and Annika Gordon were alternates for the girl’s state team.

“Our girls did a nice job,” Brist said. “Sarah did a commendable job for her first state race. The competition was fierce out there today. I think all of the girls ran well — it’s just that a lot of other girls ran well, also.”

“I really think that this team has the potential to reach that trophy level. It’s a matter of gaining experience and then having the confidence and mileage to get there.”