Parke 4th, Drummond 5th at State Cross Country Finals

Photo by Tiffany Parke

MISSOULA – Drummond’s Scott Parke took two big steps Saturday, bettering his 2021 performance by claiming fourth in the MHSA Cross Country State Championship Saturday at University of Montana Golf Course.

As a sophomore Parke raced to a 6th place finish in a time of 18:15.37. In this year’s event he bettered his finish by two places in a time of 17:32.04. The junior runner also broke the Trojan record this year on the same course at the Mountain West Classic, running in a time of 17:03.90.

8th grader Dawson Parke made a very strong showing by capturing 12th place in a time of 18:08.08. Senior Jonathan Pfendler finished his Drummond career in 52nd place (20:26.23) while freshman Jacob Pfendler was 60th (20:49.42). Caiden Suthers (127th, 25:49.11) and Austin Knoeller (128th, 25:53.23) rounded out the Trojan contingent.

“I am proud of all the runners; they ran hard and competed well,” said DHS Head XC Coach Darcy Schindler. “Three of the six runners had their season best time at state and the other three were close to their best time.”

Manhattan Christian had the top three finishers with junior Oren Arthurn winning the Class C title in a time of 16:52.85. For complete results from the meet go to Athletic.net.

The Trojans finished fifth as a team and just four points out of a three-way tie for third. Manhattan Christian was first with six points, West Yellowstone second with 23, Plenty Coups and Belt/Centerville were tied in third at 64 with Drummond in fifth at 68.