Flathead, Whitefish eye more divisional track titles
Flathead High School boys track coach Dan Hodge is hoping to be pleasantly surprised once again.
The Braves last year "overachieved," in winning the Western AA divisional track title in Missoula.
"They went in and worked really hard," he said.
"We had our best meet of the year at divisional."
Well, it's divisional time once again and Hodge has his fingers crossed when it comes to receiving more good news from his runners, throwers and jumpers.
"We've shown some flashes of success," said Hodge.
"I hope they surprise me and put it all together for the divisional and can hold on and do it a week later also (at state)."
Flathead has already won two major events - the Missoula Invitational and the Archie Roe - and will be one of the favorites in Butte along with Helena Capital.
"(Even though) we're a little different (team) this year, I still don't know (what to expect)," said Hodge.
"There will be an awful lot of wait and see what happens."
The Braves will be led by weightmen Dan Ogden, shot put and discus, and Damian Farrier, discus, and the distance crew of Sean Clark, John Fairweather, Elliot Welder, Seth Grossman and Carl Nystuen.
Clark has the fastest time in AA in the 800 (1:57.2) while Fairweather has a best of 1:58.9.
In the 3,200, Welder has the third fastest AA time (9:47.5) followed by Grossman (9:48.5) and Nystuen ((;50.1).
This will be Flathead's second trip to Butte this spring. The Braves finished third at the Swede Dahlberg Invitational in April.
"We only scored one point in each race," said Hodge of the 1,600 and 3,200 at the Dahlberg.
"Those races are supposedly one of our strengths."
But it just wasn't one of Flathead's best efforts of the season.
Eastern AA power Billings Skyview won that meet, which was like a state preview event, with 66 points. Capital was second, 64 1/2 and the Braves next with 56 1/2. Skyview will not be at this meet.
Hodge says Clark, who has run the 1,600, will pass on that event this time in favor of the 400. That could give FHS top places in four running events - 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200.
"It gives us a little more firepower there," he said of the switch.
"He's (Clark) a quality 400 runner, a quality 800 runner."
Odgen has the second best throw in AA in the shot put (52-10 1/2) and discus (164-11).
Farrier is right behind Ogden in the shot at 52-8.
The Braves have won divisional titles five of the last six years while the Bravettes will be aiming to make it six straight titles in Butte
Like the FHS boys, the girls have won titles at Missoula and Archie Roe.
They finished fifth at the Great Falls Invitational.
"You always question where you are going into the last week of the season," said FHS girls coach Jerry Boschee.
"But I think we're ready. We've had a great week of practice."
The Bravettes will have to athletes doing five individual events - Liz Myers and Kendalyn Habel. Sam Gunlikson, Chelsea Hart and Jenea Lister will do five counting the relays.
"That's a big group for us," said Boschee.
"Our (team) strengths have changed over the years," he continued.
"I don't know if I can pinpoint one area this year. I just like our team."
The top five individuals and relays advance to state, May 26-27 in Helena.
Class A