Records up for grabs at A.R.M.

It might be easier to just list the events that are safe when it comes to possible record-setting performances today at the eighth annual A.R.M. Invitational track meet in Whitefish.

It appears 11 marks on the girls side and nine more for the boys could tumble at this 16-team event, which begins at 10:15 a.m. with field events and 10:45 with the 100 trials.

"Some of our records are in danger this year," said Whitefish boys and girls coach Derek Schulz.

"Almost too many to name."

Last year was no different as there were 10 new standards set, five in both boys and girls competition. Three individuals who had a hand in those - Whitefish's Courtney Ferda and Chris Hicks and Libby's Blaine Baker - are back to try it again.

Ferda, now a sophomore, broke the A.R.M. mark in the 100 (12.6) in 2004 and was on Whitefish's record-setting 400 relay team (50.42).

Hicks cleared 6-7 to set a new high jump standard and Baker won the javelin with a distance of 183-5.

Ferda already owns season-best times of 12.76 in the 100 and 26.53 in the 200.

Baker, a senior, currently has the third best javelin mark (206-3) in the state this season.

And Hicks owns the fourth best triple jump (44-3), all classes, in 2005.

Hicks will also compete in the long jump (21-7 1/4), high jump (6-4) and run both hurdle races.

"That's what his schedule is right now," said Schulz of his junior standout.

"Anytime you go to a meet with Chris Hicks, he's worth watching."

The other records in jeopardy are: (girls) 800, 100 and 300 hurdles, both relays, discus, javelin, long jump, triple jump and pole vault; (boys) 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200, 1,600 relay, high jump.

"We have the good fortune of having real fine athletes compete in this meet," said Schulz.

"This year will be the same."

One of those is Bekah Stoltz, the defending meet champ in the shot put and discus. She's the state leader in the discus with a distance of 141-10.

"She's clearly one of the premier track athletes in the throws for Columbia Falls," said Schulz.

Brooke Andrus of Bigfork, who set a meet standard Tuesday at the Top 10 Invitational in Missoula, is another one. She's entered in the 400, 800 and 1,600.

Andrus' 800 time, 2:22.1, is third best statewide. She's fourth in the 3,200, 11:27.4, and seventh in the 1,600, 5:20.0.

Other individuals, who are currently listed among the state's best, to watch for today are: Zanen Pitts of Ronan (1,600 and 3,200); Chris Ogle of Polson (1:59.0 in the 800), Daniel Bridge of Shelby (4:33.5 in the 1,600 and 9:58.6 in the 3,200); Dane Steward of Plains (9:54.5 in the 3,200); Nathan Bach of Thompson Falls (212-7 in the javelin); Tony Kazmierczak of Thompson Falls (50.82 in the 400); Ryan Dorian of Thompson Falls (51.04 in the 400); Devon Schmit of Columbia Falls (51.47 in the 400); Kyle Rosenbaum of Columbia Falls (43-11 3/4 in the triple jump); Justen Owen of Eureka (15.48 in the 110 hurdles); Matt DeLong of Eureka (40.48 in the 300 hurdles); Ashley Ferda of Whitefish (46.95 in the 300 hurdles); Emmy Bentley of Eureka (2:24.6 in the 800); Stephanie Sanders of Eureka (16.0 in the 100 hurdles); Carmen Neuens of Havre (16-7 in the long jump and 34-6 in the triple); Kim Pearce of Columbia Falls (5-2 in the high jump); Erin Greiner of Whitefish (34-7 in the triple jump); Elisha Kampfe of Troy (17-3/4 in the long jump); and Kari Mowbray of Polson (10-6 in the pole vault).

Another individual to keep an eye on is Eureka's Laura Cameron. She holds the meet record in the 300 hurdles (47.00) set in 2003.

On the team front, Whitefish's string of five straight boys titles is in jeopardy. Thompson Falls and Columbia Falls should battle it out for top honors.

On the girls side, Havre is the defending champ.

ARM Invitational Records

Boys

100 - Steve Heberly, Havre, 10.6, 2003

200 - Steve Heberly, Havre, 22.08, 2003

400 - Cody Henning, Whitefish, 50.48, 2004

800 - Matt Helgath, Whitefish, 1:57.40, 2004

1,600 - Eddie Heider, Whitefish, 4:39.7, 2000

3,200 - Kyle Roberts, Ronan, 10:04.40, 2000

110 hurdles - Tucker Ferda, Whitefish, 14.82, 2003

300 hurdles - Kris Anderson, Whitefish, 39.60, 2001

400 relay - Havre, 43.92, 2003

1,600 relay - Whitefish (Justin Scogin, Chris Hicks, Matt Helgath, Cody Henning), 3:28.09, 2004

Shot put - Curtis Bean, Eureka, 52.4 1/2, 2003

Discus - Curtis Bean, Eureka, 159-7, 2003

Javelin - Blaine Baker, Libby, 183-5, 2004

Long jump - Trevor Gunlock, Polson, 22-3, 2000

Triple jump - Chase Halland, Libby, 42-4 3/4, 2001

High jump - Chris Hicks, Whitefish, 6-7, 2004

Pole vault - Trevor Gunlock, Polson, 14-6, 2000

100 - Courtney Ferda, Whitefish, 12.60, 2004

200 - Sammy Freeman, Libby, 26.65, 1999

400 - Alicia Overcast, Havre, 59.76, 2003

800 - Alicia Overcast, Havre, 2:21.23, 2004

1,600 - Laura Dalton, Bigfork, 5:12.72, 2004

3,200 - Lauren Dalton, Bigfork, 11:48.64, 2004

100 hurdles - Johanna Closson, Whitefish, 15.79, 2001

300 hurdles - Laura Cameron, Eureka, 47.00, 2003

400 relay - Whitefish (Kirsten Blackburn, Johanna Closson, Emily Long, Courtney Ferda), 50.42, 2004

1,600 relay - Whitefish (Brooke Sloan, Johanna Closson, Rebekah Hudson, Maria Hill), 4:15.8, 2001

Shot put - Bree Fuqua, Polson, 43-9, 2000

Discus - Bree Fuqua, Polson, 143-0, 2000

Javelin - Dani Finley, Charlo, 131-3, 2003

Long jump - Jana Smith, Ronan, 16-4, 1999

Triple jump - Johanna Closson, Whitefish, 35-3, 2002

High jump - Sarah Hislop, Columbia Falls, 5-4, 2003

Pole vault - Kelsey Smith, Havre, 9-6, 2003; and Sarah Hislop, Columbia Falls, 9-6, 2003