The Whitefish Bulldogs lost a ton of points off last year’s State A champion girls track and field, namely in senior Rachael Wilmot, who swept the sprints.

But these Bulldogs can still thump and should make noise within the Northwest A, Western A and of course, state. They’re just one potent team out of many in and around the Flathead Valley, including Columbia Falls boys, who were fourth at last year’s State A meet. 

Here’s an overview of the Northwest A teams as they warm up for (weather permitting) Friday’s A.R.M. Invitational in Whitefish. 

Whitefish 

Along with Wilmot, the girls lost Stella Frisbee to a knee injury at the State A basketball tournament and fellow sophomore Grace Slimon, who gave a huge boost with a high jump title at state, to a knee injury last summer.  

Slimon is on the track but probably won’t compete in her signature event. 

And still. ... 

“We have a really amazing group of freshmen coming in this year that are going to be really fun to watch,” girls coach Matt Beckwith said.  

Plus there’s Ginger Bergland, second in both hurdles races at state as a sophomore. 

“Ginger is just a hard worker and is just super competitive,” Beckwith said. “She competes with herself, competes with her teammates, just really wants to win. She’s a lot of fun to be around.” 

Juniors Sophie Douglas and Sierra Gibb made state in the 3,200; senior Mila Maddock and junior Anna Boysen deepen the sprint crew.  

Sol Holmquist, another senior, was a state qualifier in the javelin. “We’re expecting great things from her in all three throws,” Beckwith said. 

Sophomore Chantry Krack and senior Maggie Zonich could pick up where Slimon left off. Zonich jumps and throws the shot and has signed with Carroll College.

Krack is in the jumps as well. 

The Bulldog boys lost not only vaulter Brenden Schauerhamer to Spokane, but also his mom — who was their pole vault coach. So they recruited. 

Junior sprinter Colby Minton realized he was the lone returnee back from the state champion long relay team and, in coach Willie Roche’s words, “Went and kind of pillaged the football team a little bit.” 

Vlad Shestak, a top receiver last fall, is one addition. Cooper Akey is another. Then there’s Nate Zetooney, a junior who spent two seasons on the tennis team. 

“We looked at him during summer workouts and said, ‘That’s the fastest kid out there.’ “  

Zetooney proved the coaches right; he’ll lead the sprint crew. 

Senior Anderson Barrile and sophomore Braylon Dunn lead the throws; Roche loves their leadership and is also encouraged by a strong boys freshman class. 

Columbia Falls  

The Wildcats led the State A boys standings after the first day, and a lot of talent returns. Jett Brandeberry, a junior, was part of the Stumptown indoor long relay — along with Whitefish’s Minton, William Hollensteiner of Flathead and Gage Gladden of Glacier — that finished second in the 4-by-200 relay at the Nike Indoor Nationals in March. He leads the sprints.  

Banyan Johnston has been slowed by a sore knee that is getting treatment, but will compete; sophomore Miles Colliander is a major threat.  

“I’m excited about him,” Columbia Falls coach Jamie Heinz said of Colliander. “He made great strides as a freshman but he’s going to be a doozie this year.” 

The throws are covered with senior Joe West (sixth at state in the javelin); Easton Brooks and Dylan Owens lead the jumps. Brooks was sixth in the triple jump at state in 2025. 

The Wildkats are looking to build on a 12th-place finish at state. Heinz feels Ashley Adams, a solid threat in the 400 and 800, is ready for a healthy and successful senior season. Mila Johns, another senior, is a threat in all three distances. 

Another distance standout is junior Findley Dezzani, whose successful Nordic skiing season landed her a scholarship with Montana State’s ski team. 

The vault crew is led by senior Soli Bullemer, who was second in that event as a sophomore. “She was battling injuries all last year but this year she’s 100 percent healthy,” Heinz said. “And we’re excited about that.” 

Junior Luciana Kress is ready to score in the vault and long jump alongside Peyton Ross, a sophomore who has sprouted some five inches to 5-foot-8, according to Heinz. 

Heinz is also excited for senior Maddy Barker, second in the triple a year ago, along with junior Rylee Sweeney (fourth in the high jump at state) and sophomore thrower Olivia Hook. 

“Missed state in the discus by a quarter-inch,” Heinz said of Hook. “People are going to learn about her this year.” 

Bigfork  

The Vikings have two big scorers up front in Austin and Tamret Savik: Austin was second in both hurdles races at state, losing to seniors in both races; Tamret was second in the triple jump and fourth in the high jump. 

That’s just two of 15 senior boys for Bigfork, including senior Treven Hall. “He’s throwing really well this year,” coach Sue Loeffler said. 

The list also includes Treker Hickey in the javelin, Alex Ochs in the jumps and Noah Pandina and Vander Barnes in the throws. 

Juniors Quinn Kerr and Robert Merchant lead the sprints and relays. 

“And we’ve got a lot of young kids that are fun and have some talent,” said Loeffler, who is in her 52nd year of coaching. “We just have to make sure we put them in the right place.” 

Just two seniors dot the Valkyries roster: Peyton Benson and Shannon Woll, who shore up the relays. Sophomore Sofia Albiero leads the sprint crew; junior Millie Hall is a first-flight performer in the shot and discus. 

The Vals are young and also fortified by a strong freshman class. 

Libby 

Loggers coach Josh Bean has 30 athletes out, boys and girls, but there are some top performers like sophomore distance runner Capri Farmer (second in the 3,200 at last year’s State A, and fourth in the 1,600). 

The boys return senior Tristan Andersen, who is adding the long jump to his signature event the javelin (fifth at state). 

Bean likes junior Ledger Fortner’s offseason efforts and his chances in the high and long jumps and relays. Junior Colter Anderson and senior Gabe Kosters help the relays; Koster also vaults and throws the javelin.  

For the girls, sophomore Alyssa Anderson long jumps and throws the javelin; junior Hailey Misner is the top sprinter after barely missing state (a stumble left her .33 out of 10th at divisionals). “She was pretty upset and looking to get back to that level,” Bean said. 

Polson 

Both the Pirates and Lady Pirates return a couple handfuls of state entrants, none better than junior Morgan Delaney for the girls and David DiGiallonardo for the boys. 

Delaney won the State A 3,200 last year; she’s run two personal records already this season — 11 minutes, 20.38 seconds in the 3,200 (she ran 11:28.82 to win state) and 5:13.65 in the 1,600. 

DiGiallonardo also PR’d last week at the Blue Devil Invitational, running the 3,200 in 9:37.03. He was fourth in that race at state and sixth in the 1,600. 

Additionally, junior Jackson Bontadelli has already run a 2:06.21 in the 800. Polson also has freshman Quinn Delaney and sophomore Kimora Scott filling out a dynamite girls distance crew. 

Ronan 

Junior William Normandeau is a threat in the 400 and 800 for the Chiefs, who return five athletes that made state a year ago. Antoinette Adams, a senior hurdler who also runs the equally demanding 800, leads the Maidens. 

Browning 

Two seniors that placed at last year’s State A lead the way: River Racine, who was fifth in the boys 3,200; and Teslin Trombley, who took fourth in the triple jump. Tromley may also run the 200, 400 and 800; she’s done it before.