Monday, May 11, 2026
69.0°F

Bulldog cross country runners shine in Libby

JULIE ENGLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 8 months AGO
by JULIE ENGLER
Julie Engler covers Whitefish City Hall and writes community features for the Whitefish Pilot. She earned master's degrees in fine arts and education from the University of Montana. She can be reached at [email protected] or 406-882-3505. | August 31, 2022 1:00 AM

Whitefish runner Deneb Linton took top honors at the Libby Invitational Cross Country meet last week with a time of 17:06:81, nearly five seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, Bauer Holloman of Flathead High. Linton, a junior, led the small Whitefish team of eligible runners at the Libby race.

“He (Linton) ran a very smart and confident race, showed his fitness level is high as we get into competition,” said Whitefish cross country coach Richard Menicke.

Whitefish senior Nate Ingelfinger ran a PR to finish in the top 10. Senior Henry Seigmund and freshman Koru Larimore also had solid showings.

Logan Peterson of Columbia Falls finished in third place overall while Wyatt Ehredt from Frenchtown claimed fourth place.

The team from Flathead High won the meet with 31 points. Columbia Falls took second place with 60 and Browning High, with a score of 81, came in third.

Whitefish fielded two runners for the girls varsity race. Junior Morgan Grube finished fourth overall and Menicke said she ran a great race. Junior Hazel Gawe ran to 19th place.

“(Grube) put a ton of training in over summer and it showed — I was especially happy to see her patience to pick her moves,” Menicke said. “Hazel Gawe was solid… fighting mightily despite not feeling her best. Proud of that girl to stick with it.”

Flathead’s Lilli Rumsey Eash finished in first place with a time of 18:50:93. Siri Erickson from Columbia Falls was in second and Madelaine Jellision from Flathead took home third place.

The Columbia Falls girls’ team won the meet with 30 points, Flathead High was second with 34 and the host team, Libby, finished in third place with a score of 88.

The Whitefish team only had six runners eligible to compete in Libby and Menicke says he is looking forward to Whitefish’s next race on Friday in Cut Bank, when he expects to have all but three athletes eligible to compete.

“Excited for the kids to have full squads at the starting line, they are ready to go,” Menicke said.

Whitefish will compete at the Cut Bank Time Trials on Friday. Starting time is still to be determined.

Whitefish Results:

Boys

  1. Deneb Linton 17:06:81
  2. Nate Inglefinger 17:46:77
  3. Henry Seigmund 21:51:94
  4. Koru Larimore 22:29:93

Girls

  1. Morgan Grube 21:00:40
  2. Hazel Gawe 23:58:87

photo

Whitefish's Morgan Grube races at the Libby Invite on Friday. (Scott Shindledecker/Western News)

photo

Whitefish junior Hazel Gawe earns a top-20 position at the Libby Invite on Friday. (Matt Weller photo)

ARTICLES BY JULIE ENGLER

People in your neighborhood: Kristen Deltenre banking on a positive attitude
May 6, 2026 1 a.m.

People in your neighborhood: Kristen Deltenre banking on a positive attitude

There are some constants when it comes to any bank transactions: account numbers, receipts, signatures, and when Kristen Deltenre is the teller, there is the confidence and competence that comes with eight years of banking experience.

May 6, 2026 1 a.m.

Planning Commission reviews changes to zoning, subdivision regs

Whitefish City Planner Dave Taylor presented the city’s request to amend the zoning regulations and the subdivision regulations to comply with the Montana Land Use Planning Act and several land use bills adopted by the 2023 and 2025 state legislatures.

Film fest highlights outdoor recreation’s ability to provide mental reset
April 29, 2026 1 a.m.

Film fest highlights outdoor recreation’s ability to provide mental reset

How often does a bike ride or jog after work provide some solace?