Carroll Saints Send Full Team to First 2026 Digger Meet in Bozeman

Carroll College is sending 50 athletes to the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center in Bozeman today for the first of two meets in the Digger Winter Series, providing an early-season measure of depth and development for Lewis and Clark County's flagship collegiate program. The roster features established national qualifiers and a slate of athletes making their first appearances as Saints.

Helena, Mont.: For the men, 21 athletes will compete, including season debuts from previous individual national qualifiers Zack Gacnik and Brycen Gardner, both entered in the 5000 meters. Several men will make their first appearances as Saints on the track or field: Karson Thomas in the long jump and triple jump; Oren Arthun and Harper Churape in the 600 meters; and Conrad Schruth, Logan Anderson, and Eli Highness in the 5000 meters.

On the women's side, 29 athletes will travel to Bozeman. The group will be headlined by Brynn Wandle, who competed at Nationals last spring in the pole vault. Multiple women will debut for Carroll: Macee May in the long jump and triple jump; Olivia Maunu and Hannah Schoen in the shot put; Faye Holland, Ariel Brewer, Emma Horspool, Anna Sawfer, and Claire Boutilier in the 600 meters; and Jayna Boonstra and Ryah O'Dell in the 5000 meters.

Local impact centers on visibility and development. Carroll College athletes competing in Bozeman give Helena-area supporters an early look at contenders who could shape conference standings and national invitations later in the season. The presence of veteran national qualifiers on opening-night entry lists offers benchmarks for teammates and an opportunity for younger Saints to gain experience against established competition.

Logistics for spectators and media reflect a compact evening schedule: doors open at the KSAC at 5:30 p.m., the first gun for running events is scheduled for 6:15 p.m., and field events begin at 6:30 p.m. Events, entries, and heats are listed by Carroll Athletics for interested viewers; the athletics department is also directing followers to its social channels for real-time updates.

Follow Carroll Athletics on Twitter and Facebook and Carroll Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook and Instagram for race and season updates. Carroll will return to the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center for a second Digger Winter Series meet this winter; the college has not published a date for that follow-up appearance. For local fans, tonight is a chance to track individual progress, spot emerging talent, and see which Helena-area athletes set the tone for the indoor season.