Wenz leads Valkyries; Hamilton-Dixon, Gustavson pace Vikings at Hamilton Invite

Bigfork’s cross-country teams packed up solid mid-season results at the Hamilton Invite on Thursday, with freshman Toren Wenz cracking the top dozen for the Valkyries and a pair of seniors clocking personal bests to lead the Vikings on the Daly Mansion course.

Wenz surged late to finish 12th in 20:58.45, giving Bigfork an early scorer near the front of a deep girls’ field. Junior Hadley Nollan followed in 33rd at 22:51.88, and the Valks closed with a tight scoring wave: senior Shannon Woll (63rd, 25:45.93), sophomore Naomi Elwell (65th, 25:59.03), junior Caton Fought (66th, 26:02.90, PR), and senior Ava Reynolds (67th, 26:04.63). Sophomore Colbie Sullivan rounded out the lineup in 72nd (26:40.78). The compression from spots 63–67—just 19 seconds—highlighted Bigfork’s growing pack strength as the postseason nears.

On the boys’ side, seniors Noah Hamilton-Dixon and Nic Gustavson both posted lifetime bests to land inside the top 20. Hamilton-Dixon placed 14th in 17:36.81 (PR) with Gustavson close behind in 17th at 17:51.97 (PR), pacing a Bigfork group that continues to lower times week to week. Juniors Otto Schurke (75th, 20:29.37) and Fisher Sliter (78th, 20:42.68) provided middle-pack points, while senior Bradley Wood (85th, 21:07.64) and sophomore Callen Ballard (98th, 22:30.12, PR) added depth. Freshman Samuel Eslick capped the Vikings’ effort in 105th (23:30.21).