ARM marks may be in jeopardy, again

The assault on the ARM Invitational track record book will likely continue today as several of last year's record setters return for another go.

Hosting Whitefish has three record breakers back in Chris Hick, triple jump (43-7 1/4) and high jump (6-7), Courtney Ferda, 100 (12.5) and 200 (25.87), and Ashley Ferda, 100 (15.41) and 300 (46.95) hurdles.

Also returning is Elisha Kampfe, Troy, long jump (16-8).

Twelve teams total are entered in this annual track extravaganza. They are: Columbia Falls, Havre, Hot Springs, Libby, Eureka, Noxon, Plains, Ronan/St. Ignatius, Shelby, Superior, Victor and Whitefish.

Thompson Falls, which snapped Whitefish's string of five straight ARM boys titles last year, is not back. The Whitefish girls are defending champions.

The field events begin at 10 a.m. with the running events starting at 10:30.

"Another really, really good field," said Whitefish coach Derek Schulz. "It's always a good competitive meet."

And for many athletes, it will be their second big outing of the week as the Top 10 meet was in Missoula on Tuesday.

"It's that time of the year when you try to cut back on the mid-week meets and focus on just the weekend meets," said Schulz.

"But the Top 10 is such a neat opportunity for the kids."

Schulz says the athletes who are competing in two meets this week tapered down on their workouts between the two events.

"This is all about staying healthy and peaking at the right time," said Schulz.

"It sounds so cliche, but it's so true."

Hicks will likely compete in five events today - long, triple and high jump along with the 400 and a relay. It could be his busiest day of the spring.

"We've been trying to reduce (his work load) a little bit," said Schulz.

"Make sure we keep him healthy. We're trying to build for the late season."

Hicks won two events at the Top 10 - high jump (6-4) and triple jump (45-2 1/2).

Whitefish's Taylor Ferda set a Top 10 meet record by winning the 110 hurdles in a time of 14.44. That's also a school record.

He will also run the 100, 200 and one relay today.

"He's been running extremely well for us," said Schulz of Ferda.

Whitefish's Todd Harthan had a career best in the shot put in Missoula, 51-11, which was good for third place.

The Bulldogs have two standouts in the pole vault in Cort Rogers (14-0) and R.C. Carter (13-6).

Libby will have three standouts competing in the javelin - Kyle Baker, Richard Brumbaugh and Rusty Naccarato. Baker and Brumbaugh also have solid throws in the shot put. Baker also high jumps.

Libby's Andrew Orr is flirting with the 20-foot mark in the long jump.

Other top individuals to watch for on the boys side - A.J. Dunn, Superior, sprints; Michael Fischer, Ronan/St. Ignatius, distance events; Alan Skogan, Ronan/St. Ignatius, discus; Brandon Thompson, Plains, discus; Cameron Barber, Ronan/St. Ignatius, high jump; Tad Singbell, Noxon, high jump; Jack Scherman, Columbia Falls, hurdles; and Joey Larkin, Noxon, triple jump.

For the girls - Terinee McCready and Kaneesha Benson, Ronan/St. Ingatius, distance events; Allison Kendall, Plains, javelin; and Jessica Boyer, Columbia Falls, distance events.

"When you get to this meet, it's Archie (Roe), Polson (Invitational) and divisional," said Schulz.

"It's quick."

Then the season wraps up with the state meet the final weekend in May.