Hellgate wins Butte Invite; Bulldogs, Maroons strong

For the record, Missoula Hellgate’s boys’ and girls’ cross country teams swept the titles at the Butte Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Highland View Golf Course.

The dent in the history book from Saturday, though, belongs to the Maroons.

Butte Central counted in the team standings for the first time in a decade.

The Maroons finished 12th. But a place was something the Maroons had lacked until Saturday when Jarett Larson officially joined the team as the fifth runner.

He ran alongside Conor McGee, Shannon Temple, Clay Stillwagon and his brother Connor Larson.

“It was a terrific performance by five young high schoolers,” BC coach Bob Johnson beamed.

The Maroons might grow to six runners by next week, Johnson added.

McGee posted the best BC time, finishing the 3-mile course in 17 minutes, 14 seconds. That was good for 24th place.

Temple was next at 18:54, while Stillwagon posted a 20:18, Connor Larson ran in 21:50 and Jarrett Larson crossed in 22:54.

Johnson pointed out the McGee, Stillwagon and Jarett Larson posted personal bests. Temple and Connor Larson ran their second-fastest times.

Kalispell Flathead’s Zach Perrin won the race in blistering 14:52. He and second-placer runner, Adam Peterman of Helena were way ahead of the pack. Peterman crossed in 14:59.

Nic Raiser led Butte High at 17:36, good for 34th place. As a team, Butte High finished 10th.

Kody Lane added an 18:41 for the Bulldogs, who saw teammates Kolby Tretheway and Forrest Kultgen battle to the finish line.

Thretheway finished in 19:00:10, while Kultgen ran in 19:00:14.

Also for Butte High, Hunter Biegler ran in 19:25, Cooper Fisher finished in 20:05 and Kobi Craddock ran in 20:29.

“We didn’t score well as a team, but the majority of the boys ran personal bests today,” Butte High boys’ coach Jim O’Neill said. “They are working hard and improving every week. We should run better next week. They ran their butts off this week, and it’s all about being ready for State.”

The Bulldogs will run at the Mountain West meet next week in Missoula.

On the girls’ side, Paige Gilchrist’s 18:01 time led Hellgate to the title.

Butte High’s girls finished sixth.

Kendall Alley, who ran through a hamstring injury, led Butte High with a time of 20:50. She placed 15th.

Mariah Richardson was 18th at 21:00, while Bailee Hanson finished in 21:56, which was three seconds better than teammate Haley Hodge.

Also for Butte, Jordan Duffy finished in 22:21, Erika McLeod crossed in 22:41 and Andie Hogan posted a time of 22:54.

“The girls ran great today,” Bulldog girls’ coach Mara Osborne said. “We have a tough pack that pushes each other. I’m Happy with everyone’s performance and looking forward to Mountain West next week.”

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