Bulldogs Take First and Lady Bulldogs Take Second at Breathe Easy

The Bulldogs cross country teams started the 2026 season by hosting their annual  Breathe Easy Invitational at Whetstone Creek Golf Course in Milbank on Thursday, August 27. Senior Jeter Scoular, who improved his finish by 38 seconds from last year, took second place in the boys division. Sophomore Ella Koplin improved her time by over a minute to secure second place in the girls competition. Senior Macy Mueller was hot on her heels to take third place for the Lady Bulldogs. As a team, the Milbank boys won the meet, and the girls took second place behind Aberdeen Roncalli.

“This meet featured a few more teams than in past years,” commented Eric Townsend, head coach for Milbank. Aberdeen Roncalli, Great Plains Lutheran, Groton, Sisseton, Tiospa Zina, Tri-State, Waubay-Summit, and Webster also competed. According to Townsend it was great to see where the Bulldogs stand against other area schools.  

“Jeter has established himself as one of the top distance runners in the state,” Townsend said. “Ella has been a part of the success of the varsity girls team since  seventh grade, and this year appears to be no different.”

Also cracking the top 10 for Milbank at the Breathe Easy meet were Franco Flores at No. 7 and Beckham Berry at No. 8. Bennett Graham took 19th for the Bulldogs and Rylan Wendland finished at 20th. Lady Bulldogs Haylen Schneck, Paola Segundo Culhuac, and Bianca Berry placed 10th, 11th, and 12th respectively.

Townsend commended the entire team on their success and effort. “Nearly every runner improved on the same course on the same date from a year ago,” he stated. Some of the larger improvements included  Fernanda Hernandez Vasquez, 2:31 faster; Ainsley Brown, 2:13 faster; Sophie Gruba, 2:01 faster; Matthew Unzen, 1:35 faster; Macy Mueller, 1:32 faster; Lennox Spors,1:26 faster; Ella Koplin, 1:19 faster; and Beckham Berry 51 seconds faster. 

“Overall, the Milbank Breathe Easy Invite was a great meet to kick off the season,” Townsend added. “It is always good to run at home and have a few more Bulldog fans cheering us on.”

What’s next? The Milbank Bulldog CC teams head to one of the largest races in the region – the  Augustana Twilight to be held under the lights at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls this Friday September 4. The Twilight attracts over 5,000 athletes, coaches, and fans. Things get rolling at 5:45 pm. 

Complete Results From Breathe Easy:
Varsity Boys:

Girls Varsity:

Boys JV:

Girls JV:

File Photo–Jeter Scoular