Girls Varsity 8th; Girls JV Wins Championship, Boys 2nd
Senior Elliot Stimpson roared to a runner-up finish to spearhead a nail-biting victory for the Helena Bengals as they held off a hard charging Lewis and Clark squad from Spokane, Wash. at the 2024 Mountain West Classic at UM Golf Course in Missoula on Saturday.
The runner-up finish for Stimpson in 15:50 was the best for a Bengal at Mountain West since Kylie Hartnett won the girls division in 2019, and it was the top finish by a Helena boy since Aidan Reed was runner-up a decade ago in 2014. Stimpson finished just 9 seconds back of champion Owen Thiel, of Glacier, on Saturday.
As you might expect, Stimpson got a lot of help from his Bengal teammates as sophomore Milo Kauffman placed ninth in 16:02 and senior Henry Sund crossed the line 15th in 16:10. And coming up big for the Bengals in a season best of 16:31 in 30th was Dylan Hill, who was followed across the line by Jake Matthews in 47th with a time of 16:49.
Lewis and Clark meanwhile, placed all five of its scoring runners in the top 40, but with Stimpson and Kauffman tallying just 11 combined points, it made the difference as the Bengals finished with 99 points to Lewis and Clark’s 107.
Running sixth for the Bengals was junior Garrett Hinderman, who posted a personal best for the third consecutive week as he placed 63rd in 17:03. And senior Eli Highness remained as reliable as ever in 70th with a time of 17:10.
On the girls side, the Bengals continue to demonstrate growth led by a breakout performance by junior Kate Lee and a return to form by sophomore Isabel Ward, who was unable to compete in Helena’s first two meets.
Lee shaved 24 seconds off her lifetime best and placed 30th with a time of 20:01 to lead the Bengals, running a courageous race reminiscent of her 7th-place performance in the AA 3200 final at the state track and field meet in May. Ward, who opened the season last week for the Bengals, improved on that time by more than a minute for a season best of 20:35 in 57th.
With those two leading the way, the Bengals finished 8th in a field that featured more than 400 runners from more than 100 schools, including 52 complete teams. Glacier sophomore Lauren Bissen collected the individual crown in a blistering 18:22, and Bozeman won the team crown with 96 points as Gallatin placed second with 130.
While Lee and Ward led the way for the Bengals, senior Hadyn Garza continued to be a reliable No. 3 runner as she was 85th in 21:10. Senior Solveig Mohr 91st in 21:13, Ella Irey 92nd in a season best 21:15, senior Caoimhe Gallagher 109th in 21:25, and freshman Lily Combs 123rd in 21:33 followed Helena’s top three runners across the finish line.
It was a strong move up the standings for the Bengals, who advanced five places for the second year in a row. In 2022, the Bengals placed 18th, and in 2023 they finished 13th.
JV Girls and Boys Deliver on the Big Stage
It’s difficult to find the words to describe the girls performance in the junior varsity race, but it was nothing short of dominant with four runners in the top 10 and all five scoring runners in the top 20.
It all started with a make-shift dance party sparked by Cooper Judd and her mini speaker as she rallied the Bengals prior to the start. That helped settle some nerves and get the energy moving in a positive direction. When the gun sounded, the Bengals got out aggressively and never looked back.
Sophomores Emmie Bermingham and Mary Clement each made a statement of intent with fourth- and fifth-place finishes in PRs of 21:08 and 21:12, respectively, and junior Emily Davidson was just 6 seconds farther back in a PR 21:18 in eighth place. Another sophomore, Ellie Coburn, was Helena’s fourth top-10 finisher as she posted a season best of 21:36 in 10th and senior Margot Muszkiewicz completed the scoring for Helena in 17th place with a season-best 22:10.
The Bengals finished with 38 points, Hellgate was second with 73, and Gallatin finished third with 90 in a race that featured 30 complete teams and 379 runners.
While Helena’s scoring five had a strong day, they weren’t alone as Gabbi Lavoie (25th, 22:23), senior Ryah O’Dell (35th, 22:57), and senior Margaret McDonald (44th, 23:08) all finished in the top 50 with season bests. The big performances flowed freely as the Bengals posted an additional 11 PRs and three more season bests in Missoula.
On the boys side, Helena ran to second place as sophomore Joel Melton, junior Ed Coleman, and senior Chris Jenemann went 3-4-5 to lead five Bengals in the top 25.
Lewis and Clark (Spokane, Wash.) led the way with 34 points, the Bengals posted 48th, and Hellgate was third with 109.
Melton again ran a strong race near the front and finished in a PR of 17:27, while Coleman made a late charge to finish in a PR of 17:31. Jenemann finished in a season-best 17:33.
Helena’s other two top-25 finishers were freshman Ander Svingen 20th in a PR 18:07 and Henry Sweeney 22nd in a PR 18:15. The boys put four additional runners in the top 50 with freshman Ravin Bury 29th in a PR 18:32, sophomore Dan Williams 31st in a PR 18:36, freshman Foster Warner 40th in a PR 18:45, and senior Sam Fitterer 44th in 18:52.
The boys posted an additional eight personal bests and two more season bests.
While the personal bests and season bests provide the Bengals with an outcome to reflect on, they are a byproduct of continued commitment, consistency, and vibe this team continues to produce.
What’s Next?
The Bengals will be back in action Friday, Oct. 4 at the Great Falls Invitational, then return home for the 7 vs. 7 and crosstown meets on Oct. 10 and 16, respectively, at Bill Roberts Golf Course.
Helena High Cross Country 