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TRACK PREVIEW
Chilly start for track athletes
Posted: Friday, Apr 11, 2008 - 11:38:37 pm MDT By DIXIE KNUTSON/The Daily Inter Lake
But otherwise ... cancelled. The Flathead Braves and Bravettes were supposed to have a dual meet with CMR April 5. Called off. So, after more than a month of practice — Tuesday’s Class A, B, C schools versus Flathead and Glacier was the first competition for almost everybody. They’ll follow that up with today’s Missoula County Invitational and the Bigfork Invitational. Class A Libby Boys Libby won its first state championship since 1946 last year. The Loggers did it in the most dramatic fashion — a one-point victory secured by a fourth-place tie in the meet’s final event. The Loggers return three athletes — 13 points — from that team. Junior Seth Wright scored 12 of those points. Wright is the returning Class A state triple jump champion and a returning state placer in high jump. He’ll also do long jump and javelin and he wants to try discus, according to head coach Ed Tabis. “I want to see him on that long relay, but we’ll see,” the coach added. Other state participants for the Loggers include Loran Nelson (400, 1,600 relay, 400 relay, javelin), Zach Rowan (100, 200, 400, 400 relay, 1,600 relay), Jordan Gragert (shot, discus) and Jeremy Chumley, sprints, 400 relay). Numbers have been a bit of a surprise for Tabis — just over 40 came out for track this spring. The Loggers are down to 38 as the season begins. “We’ve got some kids that have never been out for track before,” he said. Tabis expects good help to come from seniors Riley Hoyer and Brandon Puckett, junior Scott Harlow and sophomore Alex Viscardi. But the biggest surprise is the underclassmen. “We’ve got 20 freshman boys. For us, that is just remarkable,” the coach said. “There’s some good talent there. That’s exciting.” He expects good things from Kody Berget, Corey Chapman, Dietrick Coleman, Kelly May, Tyler Troy and Dean Willey. Girls The Lady Loggers are also enjoying one of their biggest turnouts. “We started with 42 girls, which is among the highest showing in years. But we’ve dwindled down some,” Tabis said. The Lady Loggers are now at 36, with four returning state participants — seniors Shantell McLindson (400 relay, 1,600 relay) and Quinn Wilson (400 relay, 1,600 relay) and juniors Devon Hoyer (high jump) and Rachael Sweedman (1,600 relay). Individual events are as follows: McLindon, long jump and relays; Wilson, 400 and relays; Hoyer, hurdles, jumps; Sweedman, pole vault and javelin; Rachel Morrow, distances; Katelinn Rutherford, shot and discus; Kirsten Taylor, shot and discus; Kaila Forster, hurdles and relays; Brittany Martin, distances, triple jump, javelin; and Alex Kulbeck, shot, discus, javelin and high jump. The Lady Loggers also have 14 freshman. Some who could do well this season include Logan Best (sprints, hurdles, relays), Jamie Gilden (800, triple jump, relays), Kelsey McLain (sprints, hurdles, relays), Malena Sweet (sprints, relays, jumps) and Mechelle Wilson (sprints, relays). “We’ve got better speed than we’ve had in years. Some of these girls ran 13.5 to 13.7 (in the 100) as eighth graders. We’ll see if they can improve,” Tabis said. “They’re working hard and we’re seeing improvement. But there are lots of unknowns right now.” Coaches: Jim May, long jump and triple jump; Tim Hodel, javelin and discus; Josh Bean, shot and discus; Rod Temple, pole vault and high jump; Kyle Crawford, sprints, hurdles and short relay; and Tabis, distance and long relay. Bigfork Boys Unlike almost everyone else, the Bigfork track teams managed to accomplish quite a bit in the early going. “We got a lot done. We were out on the track. I feel we got a lot accomplished early for the season,” said Bigfork coach Sue Loeffler. The Bigfork Vikings return three Class A state participants from 2007 — including the defending champion in the boys’ 100, Andrew Whittaker. Whittaker, a senior this year, outleaned Dawson County’s Derek Ohs to claim the title last year. He clocked an 11.26. “He’s looking really good,” Loeffler said of Whittaker. “Where he’s really strong is his starts. I haven’t had very many athletes that can come out of the blocks like he can.” Whittaker also pole vaults — and Loeffler intends to try him in the 200 this year, as well. “He’s a great leader, a great role model for the younger kids,” she said. Also returning for the Vikings are junior Donny Tudahl and sophomore Keenan Evans. Tudahl advanced to the state meet in discus and Evans ran as a member of Bigfork’s 400 relay team. “We’ve got a young team, but they’re working really hard and there’s some potential there,” Loeffler said. Girls The Valkyries return five who competed at last year’s state meet — Chari Miller, Brittany Hall, Jill Hamilton, Taylor Schiltz and Kayla Carlson. Miller, Hill, Schiltz and Carlson are all members of Bigfork’s 1,600 relay team. Miller also competed in javelin. Loeffler is also looking forward to seeing what Hattie Bowen can accomplish in high jump. “She just missed going (to state) in the high jump,” Loeffler said. “We also discovered her late in the year to have some potential as a sprinter,” she added. The future of Bigfork track is bright, the coach said. “We just have some pretty quality freshmen. And also, we have kids out for the first time this year. Even though they might be upperclassmen, I think they’re really going to help us out. “They’re just all working real hard. It’s fun to have kids like that, that go that extra step and get in shape,” she said. Loeffler is assisted by Nate Hammond (throws), Jim Epperly (jumps) and Clayton Woll (pole vault). Loeffler coaches the rest of the events. Polson Boys A trophy. That’s the divisional goal. The Pirates have brought home a trophy from the divisional meet every year for the past 13 years — last spring, the Pirates claimed six firsts, six seconds and one third — and brought home the first place team trophy. “We’re looking for 14,” said longtime head coach Bob Gunderson. The Pirates have 36 prospects, including five returning state participants. Those with state experience are: seniors Logan Torgison (800, 1,600, 3,200 and 1,600 relay), Cody Doyle (110 hurdles, 400 relay); juniors Ryan Kelley (pole vault), Chris Alfiero (1,600 relay); and sophomore Brock Picard (relay alternate). “The boys are obviously rebuilding, but we’ve got some pretty good kids,” Gunderson said. “We just don’t have a lot of returners this year, so we’re moving kids around and trying them in different events.” Gunderson is also expecting good things from junior Tucker Morigeau (400) and from the pole vault. Kelley is one of two vaulters who placed in the division last year to return — he’s gone 13-6 — and the Fouty twins (Ty and Trae) are also looking good. Girls Gunderson has also taken the head coaching reins for the girls’ team. So far, he said that’s worked out pretty well. “There’s more unity between the teams. It’s nice to have everybody on the same page,” he said. Gunderson is excited about the group who have turned out. They are only 22 strong, “but they have the potential to do some damage,” the coach said. Included among that group are five returning state participants. They are senior Merilee Mowbray (200, 400, 400 relay, 1,600 relay), junior Tara Johnson (pole vault), sophomore Nicole Davey (300 hurdles, 400, 400 relay, 1,600 relay), sophomore Christa Redcrow (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 400 relay, 1,600 relay), and Lonnie Havlovick (discus). Johnson and Redcrow each placed — Johnson tied for fifth/sixth in the pole vault and Redcrow was fifth in 300 hurdles. The Pirates also return three legs of the 1,600 relay crew that won the Class A state championship — sophomore Nicole Davey, Redcrow, and Mowbray. Polson has three freshman for whom expectations run high. They are Three Forks transfer Sierra Pete, Brianne Kelley and Mesa Starkey. Pete “won everything” during her time on Three Forks’ junior high team. “She is so talented. She is something. Just watching her in practice, she is going to be one tough kid in the 100, 200 and 400,” Gunderson said. She may also step in for a leg of the 1,600 relay. Kelley is 5-foot-9, thin, and really quick, the coach said. “She can do anything from the 100 to 400, hurdles or sprints,” he said. Mesa Starkey finished second at Class A state cross country last fall. She’ll run the 1,600 and the 3,200 for Polson. “She’s a good, hard worker,” he said. Gunderson is also pleased with sophomore shot putter Natasha Lafferty and distance runner Mary Wiedrich. “I think we’re going to be right in the middle of (the divisional meet). I think they’re very competitive,” he said. “If you have good kids and you keep them healthy, you are going to have a successful season.” Polson coaches are Jenni Brown, Rob Alfiero, Joe Quinn, Brian Havlovick, Rob Kelley. Whitefish Girls The Lady Bulldogs won the Northwestern A divisional and were second at the Class A state meet last year. They’re back this year with six returning state participants, including defending Class A 100 hurdle state champion Ashley Ferda. Other Lady Bulldogs who participated at state last year are Hailey Farmin (long jump), Loni Hanson (3,200), Lauren Kuennen (300 hurdles, 400 relay, 1,600 relay), Heather Melcer (long jump, triple jump, 1,600 relay) and Claire Miller (3,200). As for numbers, Whitefish has 36 out. “I’m pleased with our numbers. We have some new, young, fresh faces and that’s exciting,” said Whitefish head coach Derek Schulz. Schulz is looking forward to watching the Lady Bulldog distance runners. That’s because Whitefish won its first Class A state cross country title earlier this school year and several of those runners, including state champion Hanson, are out for track. “Coach (Bill) Brist did a heckuva job with them. We’re going to be trying to get those girls in key events,” Schulz said. Schulz is also looking forward to seeing what Kuennen can accomplish. “She’s extremely versatile. She can run any event in track. We don’t even know yet what events she’s going to be doing,” he said. “We’re focusing on event coverage and trying to get quality competitors in every event. We need to pace ourselves to have them ready mid-May for the really important stuff,” Schulz said. The Whitefish coaching staff includes: Brist, distance, pole vault; Rob Carter, pole vault; Kelliann Blackburn, sprints; Megan Pepe, throws; Jill Hoxmeier, discus; Pat Cheff, javelin; Scot Ferda, hurdles; Jeremy Anderson, jumps; and Schulz, sprints, relays. Boys The Bulldogs, second in Northwestern A to Polson last year, have 55 out and return six 2007 state participants. They are: Drew Coco (1,600, 3,200, 800); Colt Idol (high jump), Henry King (100, 400 relay), Tyler Mason (400 relay, 1,600 relay), Aaron Tkachyk (400 relay, long jump) and Kaleb Prestegaard (pole vault). “We’re returning a lot of kids that competed at state or were very close to making state last year, so we’re excited,” Schulz said. “I’m pleased with our attitudes and their work ethic. I’m really pleased with our coaching staff. They’ve done a really nice job of trying to prepare kids. We’re emphasizing improving slowly and staying healthy,” he said. As for the conference, Schulz said the end result will likely depend on what kids turn out — and when. “We all in the springtime have to work with kids, all the conflicts, the other sports,” he said. “It’s kind of a matter of who comes out where.” Columbia Falls Boys Lots of youth, lots of questions. That’s the tale for the Wildcats and Wildkats. Columbia Falls has in the vicinity of 110 prospects out — boys and girls. Of those, 37 girls and 40 boys are underclassmen. “They’re kind of young and unknown talent,” said Columbia Falls head coach Jamie Heinz. “I’m curious. I’m very curious,” he said. “It’s hard to say what we’re going to get out of those guys as freshmen,” he said. The good news — at least as far as the boys’ team — they won every track meet as eighth graders. In addition to the young talent, there is some good experience returning for the Wildcats. Senior Scott Palmer had a great state meet last year — he was third in both the 100 and 200 and was a member of the winning 400 relay team. The Columbia Falls distance crew has good returners as well. Junior Tripp Gimbel and sophomore Patrick Jessat both competed in the 1,600 last year and John Woody was an alternate on the 400 relay a year ago. Heinz also has high hopes for sophomore Shawn Whitman. Whitman just missed state as a freshman — he placed sixth in the 1,600 and 3,200 at divisional — but he was Columbia Falls’ top cross country runner this past fall. Another senior who didn’t make it to the 2007 state meet, but for whom expectations are high is Chase Fairbank. Fairbank high jumped 6-2 at the Northwestern A divisional. That would have placed him at state. One downer for the Wildcats is that brothers Josh and David Wilson — two legs of the state champion 400 relay — transferred midway through the school year to Class AA CMR. “Losing those two guys was tough, but that just opportunity for other people,” Heinz said. Girls “Our girls’ team is a big question mark,” Heinz said. “The girls we have back are strong individuals, but it’s all an x-factor because I don’t know anything about our underclassmen yet,” he said. The girls Columbia Falls has back include five state participants and two state placers. Three seniors lead the Wildkat team. Emily Stoltz was fifth at state last year in pole vault and Jelisa Fields placed two years ago in long jump. Shot putter/discus thrower Sam Ladenburg also has state experience, as does senior long jump/triple jumper Colyn Hislop and junior pole vaulter Ketti Wilhelm. “We have 37 girls, sophomore and freshman that are just unknown,” Heinz said. Heinz is assisted this year by Kati Knutson (sprints, hurdles), Wes Knutson (pole vault, relays), Jessica Falcon (throws) and Steve Gasche (distance).
Posted by: wernet
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