Bison stampede through Dixon for fundraiser

A bison can run up to speeds of 35 mph, but the school Bisons that sped through Dixon on Saturday were a bit slower, including 12-year-old Sonny Matt, who nabbed first place in the 10K "Bison Stampede," finishing the race in one hour and 25.04 minutes.

His brother, Joey, 11, crossed the finish line one-tenth of a second behind him, followed closely by Abram Boyd, 12, in third at 1:25.15. The three are part of the Dixon Bisons track team and the only participants in the 10K race. But the majority of the participants of the three races - the 10K, 5K and the Fun Run - weren't members of the school track team, yet they came out to help in the annual fundraiser.

The Bison Stampede was put on by Dixon School to purchase items not covered by the annual budget, said Breezy Stipe, the school clerk and one of the primary coordinators of the event. She said they've been saving funds from the last few Bison Stampede races to get the parking lot paved, but believes that might take a long time. Instead, they plan to use the funds from this year's stampede to build a long jump pit for the junior high track team. "We put the money into things that will help the kids," said Crista Anderson, the principal for the last nine years. Anderson took first place in the 5K in the female division, crossing the finish line in 34 minutes and 21 seconds.

Raymond Hale of Polson and Royal Morigeau of Ronan tied for first in the 5K men's 0-18 class, finishing in 34.20. In the male over 30 years old class, Seth Rigles of St. Ignatius took first with a time of 30 minutes, 14 seconds, one second behind his daughter, Fern, 7, who took first in the 0-18 female class. Jon Haber of Missoula took second at 30.26. Kelly Bick of Dixon took second in the female 5K 18 and over at 44.23.

Eleven boys and five girls took part in the 5K race, ranging from 7-year-old Fern to the 70-year-old Haber. Jake Baumann of Ronan pushed his daughter, Rebecca, 2, in a stroller, finishing in fourth in the male over 30 class at 1:02.10, while his wife, Jami, carried 4-month-old Josie in a baby carrier on her chest in the race. Ian Sackett of Polson, last across the finish line at 1:02.27, pushed Liam, 2, in a stroller in the competition.

In the "Fun Run," more than 20 men, women, boys, and girls participated, with 5-year-old Kamdyn Lindquist of Dixon as the youngest boy, though Evelyn BigSam, also 5 years old, crossed the finish line first on her bicycle. Paul Phillips of Ronan ran the entire race with his 2-year-old granddaughter, Edelia, on his shoulders. Officials did not keep track of times for the Fun Run.

Dixon School started the Bison Stampede in 2014 and held it every year, except once due to Covid. Shawna Olsen, the school secretary and administrative assistant, and one of the Bison Stampede coordinators, said they took in about $1,500 for this year's fundraiser, which included the entry fee of $30 and $10 a plate for adults and $6 for children 12 and under for a pancake breakfast, cooked by the school cook, Jeff Hainline and his wife, Faye Lear-Hainline.

Olsen said the event was a big success and the weather was perfect for the race, which involved hills and gravel roads. "It's not an easy route, but the views when you get to the top are spectacular," said Olsen. The school and community playground is a result of the first Bison Stampede, which was done with the help of grant money. "The school is the hub of our small town. The grounds are open to the public when school is not in session, so it is often a play/picnic area for the community to enjoy," she said.

The biggest fundraiser year was 2022 when they raised over $1,900, said Olsen. "Of course making a profit, no matter how much, is the goal, but it is equally important to bring people together to enjoy good company, good food, good times," she said. "Considering we are a small, rural community, the outpour of support from Dixon and surrounding communities for this event is amazing," she said.

The event sponsors included Special Tees of Missoula, Valley Banks, Blackfoot Communications and Runner's Edge of Missoula, which provided the inflatable starting and finish line arch and the timer. St. Ignatius resident Stuart Morton of Blackfoot Communications served as the emcee.

More than 25 Dixon School students entered their designs for this year's Bison Stampede t-shirt. The entries were displayed in the cafeteria and the students voted for the top four, which were put on Facebook and voted on by the community. Sonny Matt won the contest. Second place went to sixth-grader Alyra Porter.