Culbertson/Bainville Athletes Earn Honors At State Meet

Culbertson/Bainville’s girls came away with a fourthplace showing at the Class C state cross-country meet held in Kalispell on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The Cowgirls finished with 54 points. Manhattan Christian topped the standings with 29 points followed by Seeley-Swan with 30 and MonDak with 34 points.

“I was very happy with how the boys and girls ran at state considering the long drive and the weather conditions,” Culbertson/Bainville Coach Dave Solem said.

It was the highest showing for the girls’ team since 2011.

Lindsey Paulson of Belt/ Centerville was the individual champion with a time of 20:50.75. Plentywood’s Annie Kaul finished second at 21:51.68. Scobey’s Mia Handran took fourth at 23:33.81. MonDak’s Elizabeth Field placed fifth at 23:35.38 and teammate Sayler Stewart took seventh at 23:37.43.

Culbertson/Bainville’s Kayli Olson earned All-State honors by running the course in 24:41.56 for 13th place.

Sam Palmer finished in 17th place at 25:05.35.

Autumn Bergum placed 24th at 26:22.21. Abbey Granbois took 25th at 26:28.20.

Megan Granbois finished 50th at 28:53.77. Donna Butifoker took 51st at 28:56.33.

“We bring back our top three girl runners for next year so we are looking to do better next year in Missoula,” Solem said. “All around, we had a great meet.”

The Culbertson/Bainville boys placed ninth with 115 points.

“The boys ran the best they did all year,” Solem said.

Colby Olson, a senior, finished in 35th place with a time of 21:53.09.

Wyatt Snyder, a junior, placed 36th at 21:58.04.

Drae Nelson, a sophomore, took 44th at 23:18.44.

Isaiah Bighorn, a junior, placed 58th at 26:31.50. Maurice Bighorn, a sophomore, placed 63rd at 27:36.18. Manhattan Christian won the team title with nine points. Richey/Lambert placed second at 24 and Belt/ Centerville took third at 37.

Samuel Smith of Richey/ Lambert earned the state championship with a time of 17:04.18.

Also earning All-State honors for Richey/Lambert were Nicholas Ellerton in 11th place and Matthew Ellerton in 12th place.

Brockton’s Lucille Hart placed 79th in the girls’ division with a time of 34:39.32. Brockton’s Jonathan Bender took 61st in the boys’ division at 27:17.30.