Helena High cross country closed out the regular season portion of its schedule Wednesday afternoon at Bill Roberts Golf Course with another strong all-around showing in the annual Crosstown Meet.
The Bengals ran to victory in all four individual and team competitions and built on some great momentum heading into the state meet next weekend (Saturday, Oct. 26) in Missoula.
After cheering runners from Helena Middle School and CR Anderson, the girls toed the line first with a pack of five Bengals establishing the early lead. By the end of the race, another five joined them at the front as Helena took the top 10 places, guided by junior Kate Lee, who has led Helena across the finish line in every race this season – this time in 20:33. Sophomore Isabel Ward was close behind in 20:35, and the two look to be a strong 1-2 punch heading into state.
On the varsity side, Lee and Ward were joined by junior Cooper Judd in a personal best 20:55, freshman Lily Combs in 20:56, senior Solveig Mohr in 21:03, sophomore Emmie Bermingham in 21:07, and senior Hadyn Garza in 21:08 – producing an exceptional 1-7 spread of just 35 seconds. Sophomore Madi Emmert led Capital across the line in the varsity division in eighth with a time of 21:42.
In junior varsity competition, the Bengals matched their varsity counterparts by taking the top seven positions, led by senior Ella Irey in 21:09 (8th overall). She was followed in places 2-7 by Emily Davidson in 21:38 (9th overall), sophomore Mary Clement in 21:39 (10th overall), senior Caoimhe Gallagher in 21:45 (12th overall), sophomore Ellie Coburn in 21:57 (14th overall), senior Margot Muszkiewicz in a season best of 21:59 (15th overall), and junior Gabbi LaVoie in 22:32 (19th overall).
The Bengals also claimed the next three positions in the JV race and senior Aila Romano led the Bruins in 11th with a time of 23:48.
Helena won both varsity and JV girls team races with 15 points, while Capital posted 50.
Judd was one of two Bengals to post a personal best as senior Gilly Bovingdon improved on her mark with a time of 24:24, and junior Wren Clum (23:07) posted a season best.
It’s been a head-turning season of growth for the Helena High girls who are just one of two teams in Montana – regardless of classification – with nine girls under 21 minutes (Bozeman has 10). That remarkable depth and is unprecedented in team history.
On the boys side Wednesday, the Bengals were without usual No. 4 runner Dylan Hill, but they still managed to claim the top six spots with senior Elliot Stimpson leading the way in 16:02.
On the varsity side, sophomore Milo Kauffman (16:17), senior Henry Sund (16:51), junior Garrett Hinderman (17:16), senior Eli Highness (17:32) and senior Jake Matthews (17:49) followed Stimpson across the finish to post 15 points against Capital’s 45. The Bruins were led in seventh by freshman Cooper Laslovich with a personal best of 17:51.
In junior varsity competition, Helena claimed the top eight positions and again posted a perfect score of 15 points against the Bruins’ 50.
Junior Ed Coleman (17:41, 8th overall) claimed the JV crown and was followed closely in second by Chris Jenemann (17:47, 9th overall). Sophomore Joel Melton returned to action with a strong effort after missing out on 7 vs. 7 and finished third in 17:58, while freshman Ander Svingen (18:12), junior Henry Sweeney (18:17), freshman Foster Warner (18:43), and freshman Ravin Bury (18:51) occupied the remaining scoring positions for Helena. Sophomore Dan Williams (18:56) was eighth for the Bengals, 12 seconds ahead of Capital’s Callahan Jarvais.
The Bengal boys had one runner post a personal best (Apollo Althoff, 19:52) and one runner post a season best (Dane Moser, 22:01).
Following the races, both the Bruins and the Bengals took time to honor their seniors. On the boys side, Helena honored Sam Fitterer, Eli Highness, Chris Jenemann, Jake Matthews, Elliot Stimpson, Henry Sund, and Luke Wilkins. And on the girls side, the Bengals recognized Gilly Bovingdon, Hadyn Garza, Caoimhe Gallagher, Ella Irey, Margaret McDonald, Solveig Mohr, Margot Muszkiewicz, and Ryah O’Dell.
All 15 seniors played a significant role in developing a culture of commitment, love, curiosity, excellence, and inclusiveness, and we thank them for their contributions and incredible legacy. Seven seniors – Highness, Matthews, Stimpson, Sund, Garza, Irey, and Mohr – will compete at the state meet, Jenemann will serve as an alternate, and Gallagher will serve as a manager. Our remaining six seniors will travel with the team to state to provide support and revel in the experience. Below are our complete state teams.
BOYS
Eli Highness, 12
Dylan Hill, 11
Garrett Hinderman, 11
Milo Kauffman, 10
Jake Matthews, 12
Elliot Stimpson, 12
Henry Sund, 12
Alternates
Chris Jenemann, 12
Joel Melton, 10
Manager
Ed Coleman, 11
GIRLS
Emmie Bermingham, 10
Lily Combs, 9
Hady Garza, 12
Ella Irey, 12
Kate Lee, 11
Solveig Mohr, 12
Isabel Ward, 10
Alternates
Mary Clement, 10
Cooper Judd, 11
Managers
Emily Davidson, 11
Caoimhe Gallagher, 12
Helena High Cross Country 