by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
The Bitterroot Valley boys and girls cross country teams from Darby, Corvallis, Florence, Hamilton, and Stevensville were at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell for the 2025 Flathead Invitational.
Over 30 high schools participated in the meet, including many of the top Class AA schools. So for the Bitterroot Valley runners, this was some of the best competition they will face all year.
Individually for the boys there were 172 varsity racers. Darby’s Ben Martin finished 13th (16:18.73) and was the highest boys finisher from the Bitterroot Valley. Hamilton’s Taylor Doleac finished 17th (16:23.13). Corvallis’s Carter Koerner finished 24th (16:39.56). Florence’s Seba Schroeder finished 30th (16:46.24). Hamilton’s Benjamin Beare finished 33rd (16:48.11).
Individually for the girls there were 132 varsity racers. Hamilton’s Aleigha Child finished 19th (20:25.24) and was the highest girls finisher from the Bitterroot Valley. Hamilton’s Reecelyn Walthall finished 22nd (20:35.62). Corvallis’s Ella Varner took 30th (21:09.92). Corvallis’s Cheyenne Herbert took 44th (21:29.00). Florence’s Bailey Kroeker took 53rd (21:50.60).
In the boys team standings, Corvallis finished 7th, Hamilton finished 12th, Florence finished 15th, and Stevensville finished 22nd. In the girls team standings, Corvallis finished 9th, Florence finished 17th.