Eureka girls in hunt for 8-B title
It's been awhile since Eureka's girls have finished atop the district standings in track and field.
Matter of fact, so long ago that Lions coach Joe Lewicki can't remember the year it happened.
But that could all change today at the District 8-B meet at Legends Stadium.
The Eureka girls - led by senior hurdlers Stephanie Sanders and Laura Cameron and distance runner Emmy Bentley - stand an excellent chance to finally take home top honors.
"We could make a very good run at taking districts," said Lewicki.
"This is the best chance the girls have had in a long time."
Cameron (300, 46.41) and Sanders (100, 16.01) set district hurdle records a year ago while Bentley won the 800. Those three are expected to dominate again with Bentley also the favorite in the 1,600.
Sanders already has run 15.5 in the 100 hurdles, which puts her among the state's elite in that event.
Bentley will also run the 400 and is penciled in for both relays, giving her five events on the day.
"That's a lot to ask of anybody," said Lewicki.
"We'll see how she feels. She'll let me know (if she's tired)."
Lewicki says Bentley will most likely do those five events at divisional and state.
Eureka is also counting on a first place in the 1,600 relay with Cameron, Sanders, Melanie Finch and Bentley. If Bentley does sit that one out, her spot could be filled by either Kimberly Blonshine or Krista Kakum.
Winning five events would give Eureka 50 points and a good headstart on winning it all.
The Eureka boys have four solid individuals eyeing firsts or seconds at district. They are Matt DeLong in the hurdles, Theron Truman in the distance events, Jobi Armstrong in the pole vault and Graham Cook in the discus.
DeLong currently owns one of best hurdle times statewide in the 300 (40.41). He won the 110 and 300 hurdles last year.
On the team front, Thompson Falls is the heavy favorite.
"They're going to be unbeatable," said Lewicki. "They have depth, good talent. They have everything."
The Blue Hawks are led by Nathan Bache, the current record holder in the javelin (198-8); Tony Kazmierczak, 200 and 400; Ryan Broyhill, 800; Ryan Dorrian, 200 and 400; and pole vaulter Greg Schenavar.
Coyote Fairbank, Kazmierczak, Dorrian and Broyhill own the state's best time in the 1,600 relay, 3:27.7. The district record is 3:33.87 set by Plains in 1993.
The Plains girls and Thompson Falls boys are the defending meet champions.
Action begins at 10 a.m. with the field events.
The top five individuals and relays advance to the Western B Divisional May 20-21 in Polson.
State follows May 27-28 in Bozeman.
District 8-B Records
Boys
100-Jerremy Thomas, Thompson Falls, 10.84, 2001
200-Cody Feasel, Superior, 22.51, 2001
400-K.C. French, Plains, 48.98, 2001
800-Spencer Bird, Thompson Falls, 2:01.79, 2002
1,600-Casey Jermyn, Thompson Falls, 4:26.84, 1998
3,200-Casey Jermyn, Thompson Falls, 9:49.82, 1998
110 hurdles-Ezra Merrill, Eureka, 14.75, 1993
300 hurdles-Jacob DeLong, Eureka, 40.04, 2002
400 relay-(Tie) Bigfork (Justin Anderson, Robin Gratton, Steve Morley, Gary Denham) 44.39, 1986 and Bigfork (Jeff Newton, Steffen Foreid, Justin Anderson, Robin Gratton) 44.39, 1987
1600 relay-Plains (Jess Makin, Ryan Boettcher, Ethan Woodruff, Mike Allred), 3:33.87, 1993
Long jump-Eric Boettcher, Plains, 21-5, 1990
Triple jump-Cody Feasel, Superior, 44-2 1/2, 2001
High jump-Colin Nichols, Eureka, 6-7, 1998
Discus-Jonathon Huwe, Bigfork, 167-5, 1990
Shot put-Jeff Newton, Bigfork, 54-5 1/2, 1988
Javelin- Nathan Bache, Plains, 198-8, 2004
Pole Vault-Craig Tanner, Arlee, 14-2, 2003
Girls
100-Kim Kindel, Eureka, 12.53, 1995
200-Kim Kindel, Eureka, 26.19, 1995
400-Dana Macaluso, Bigfork, 59.72, 1994
800-Tami Heckman, Plains, 2:23, 1994
1600-Elizabeth Roodell, Eureka, 5:21.45, 1996
3200-Elizabeth Roodell, Eureka, 11:43.52, 1996
100 hurdles-Stephanie Sanders, Eureka, 16.01, 2004
300 hurdles-Laura Cameron, Eureka, 46.41, 2004
400 relay-Bigfork (Angie Bork, Dana Macaluso, Della Conley, Jada Congdon) 51.34, 1992 1600 relay-Bigfork (Sheri Nevins, Jada Congdon, Breeze Hovland, Dana Macaluso) 4:18.77, 1991
Long jump-Kayla Meyer, Troy, 17-2, 2000
Triple jump-Marcy Harlow, Plains, 35 1/2, 1990
High jump-Tammy Osler, Eureka, 5-4, 1990
Discus-Karen Helvey, Thompson Falls, 134-11, 2003
Shot put-Larri Jo Christensen, Plains, 46-8 1/2,1993
Javelin-Cassie Gaddy, Plains, 140-0, 1998 (new Jenny Dicello, Plains, 128-2, 2002)
Pole vault - Anne Rice, Arlee, 9-7, 2004
Time Schedule
Field Events
10-11:30 a.m. - (boys) javelin, long jump; (girls) long jump, pole vault, shot put
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. - (girls) javelin, high jump (boys) discus, triple jump, pole vault
1-2:30 p.m. - (boys) high jump, shot put; (girls) triple jump, discus
Running Events (girls first, boys second)
11 a.m. - 400 relay; 11:25 a.m. - 100 hurdles; 12:05 p.m. - 100 dash; 12:35 p.m. - 1,600; 12:55 p.m. - 400; 1:30 p.m. - 300 hurdles; 2:05 p.m. - 800; 2:35 p.m. - 200; 3:05 p.m. - 3,200; 3:40 p.m. - 1,600 relay.