Season starts with C-Falls meet
Heinz coaching Wildcat/Wildkat programs
Hold onto your stopwatches. Track season has arrived.
Actually, it will truly arrive Saturday at 10 a.m. when all the local Class A schools, plus one or two others, gather at Columbia Falls for the annual Columbia Falls Invitational.
Bigfork
"We graduated a lot of kids," said head coach Sue Loeffler.
Those included one big name in Bigfork track - Brooke Andrus, 2006 Class A state champion in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200.
Others who graduated include Eric Wehrman, Chad Edwards, Shawn Reed, Erik Torgerson, Breanna Brendsel, Caitlyn Roberson and Cayla Fox.
Bigfork returns just one state qualifier from last year - senior Kaemyn Meagher in the throws.
"We are really young, but we've got a good crop of juniors for girls," Loeffler said.
"The boys are real young - and if they're not young, they're inexperienced," the coach said.
According to Loeffler, the two strongest returners on the boys team are sophomores Dustin Haines and Andrew Whitaker.
Whitaker (sprints and pole vault) qualified for state last year and Haines (200, 400, relays) was close to qualifying.
Others who could figure into Bigfork's fortunes are sophomores Donny Tudahl (throws) and Jill Hamilton (sprints, pole vault), juniors Brittany Hall (hurdles, relays), Chari Miller (sprints), Avery Vogel (high jump, hurdles), Hatti Bowman, (jumps), and freshman Taylor Schiltz (distance).
"They've been practicing hard and looking fairly well. We've done some things early that we usually haven't gotten to," Loeffler said.
"This group is really fun. They're working hard, doing everything you ask of them," she smiled.
Loeffler is assisted by Nate Hammond (throws), Jim Epperly (jumps) and Clayton Woll (pole vault). Loeffler handles sprints, distance and hurdles and is hoping for some volunteer help from former Bigfork standout Lauren Dalton.
Columbia Falls
It's a new day for both the Wildcat and Wildkat track teams.
Longtime Columbia Falls assistant coach Jamie Heinz was hired to fill two slots caused by retirements of both the head boys and head girls track coaches.
Heinz will have his work cut out early as the Wildcats return just one state placer (senior thrower Keith Catt) and the Wildkats return three (jumpers Amber Lampman and Jelisa Fields and distance runner Jessica Boyer).
Lampman placed third in triple jump, Fields was sixth in long jump and Boyer finished fourth in the 1,600 two years ago.
Catt placed fifth in discus last year with a throw of 144-11.
Catt "is looking strong. He's been preparing for track since football got over and he's working well with our new throw coach. He's gotten stronger and quicker. He's very motivated to do well. I'm excited about him coming in," Heinz said.
Catt may be the only state placer, but Heinz expects big things from the boys.
"Our boys team is going to be pretty good. We have a lot of depth in all the events.
"We haven't been able to get points from the track much (in recent years). If we can do that, I think we can be one of the top teams," he added.
"Our distance crew is probably going to be the strongest it's been in awhile," he added. "And our sprints are going to be pretty strong."
Distance runners for Columbia Falls are sophomore Tripp Gimbel (1,600, 3,200), senior Brian Merseal (800, 1,600 and 3,200) and freshman Shawn Whitman (1,600, 3,200).
The biggest key for Columbia Falls is a group of seniors, who were all sophomores when Columbia Falls placed second at state.
Those include Michael Taylor (800, 1,600), Kyle Jangula (long jump and triple jump), Jason Sternad (100, 200, 400) and Jared Jimmerson (400, long jump, both relay teams and 300 hurdles).
As for the Wildkats, "we do have a good senior group of girls that are going to come back and help us," Heinz said.
Lampman "should be strong in both the long and triple (jumps), Boyer should do some good things in the 800 and 1,600," he said. "And Jelisa is excited to do well."
Boyer has her sights set on school records in both her events. To pull that off, she'll need to run the 800 faster than 2:21 and do better than 5:26 in the 1,600.
Others who will help the Wildkats are seniors Callie Spencer (pole vault, triple jump), Danielle Vukonich (400, 800), juniors Teresa Bird (pole vault), Emily Stoltz (high jump, pole vault) and sophomore Keti Wilhelm (high jump, pole vault).
Heinz is assisted by former girls head track coach Wes Knutson (pole vault, relays), Kati Fisher (sprints/hurdles), Jessica Falcon (throws) and Steve Gasche (distance).
Eureka
There's a lot to be excited about in Eureka this spring.
Track and field fans can start with the brand new, eight-lane, all-weather track that is in the process of being installed.
All the runways are in, the shot put and discus rings are being installed this week and the concrete work should be close behind.
"It's pretty raw right now, but we're practicing on it and we should have everything ready to go," said head coach Joe Lewicky.
The second thing to look forward to is a big turnout. The Lion boys have about twice as many athletes out as they did last year.
"We've got a lot of pretty talented boys coming out this year … lots of inexperienced talent," Lewicky said.
The Lions have enough sprinters that Lewicky believes he could form two 400 relay teams.
"One I know could make it to state and the other close behind," he said.
That's a difference from last year - the boys graduated Ryan Jurjans, their only state placer.
They do return one state qualifier - junior Cory Greenwood (110 and 300 hurdles).
The girls return three state qualifiers from last year. They are junior Melanie Finch (200, 400, long jump, javelin), sophomore Jonna Yost (high jump, 400), and junior Megan Hannay (shot, discus).
The Lion boys also look forward to junior Tanner Newell in the javelin, sophomore Luke Truman in discus and shot, senior Isiah Linnell in sprints and high jump and senior Spencer Satori in shot, discus and high jump.
Senior Joby Armstrong also returns in pole vault after missing last year because of injuries suffered in a car accident.
Assisting Lewicky this year are Rick Bean (throws), Patty Kincheloe (jumps), Doug Newmaster (hurdles/sprints/relays) and volunteers Neil Longhurst (distance) and Kyle Baughan (pole vault).
Libby
The offer was simple - the prom or pole vault camp.
Libby senior Porter Nelson never hesitated when his dad told him to choose.
"He's at the pole vault camp," chuckled Libby head track Ed Tabis.
"I think he's pretty dedicated. We hope it pays big dividends."
Nelson vaulted 13-feet to place fifth in pole vault at the Class A state meet last year.
He's just one of the state placers the Loggers have returning for 2007.
Chief among them is senior Kyle Baker.
Baker scored 26 points individually at state last year - he won the shot, was second in both javelin and high jump and was a member of the third place 400 relay.
"He's going to take up discus this year and add that to his resume," Tabis said. "We're hoping for good things out of him."
Richard Brumbaugh also returns. Brumbaugh was fifth in both the javelin and shot as a junior.
Others who will help the Loggers include senior Christian Lehnert (shot, discus, javelin, 400 relay), senior Jeremy Brothers (jumps, sprints), senior Charley May (distance, triple jump), junior twins Jeremy (sprints, shot, discus) and Josh (shot, discus) Chumley and sophomores Ryan Carpenter (400, 800, 1,600 relay), Joel Fuller (javelin, jumps, 1,600 relay), Scott Harlow (400, 800, jumps) and Seth Wright (high jump, 400, 1,600 relay).
"I hope we are," Tabis said when asked which teams would do well in the conference.
"I suspect Whitefish will be tough again, and Polson. I hope we're in the top three."
The key for Libby is to get more points on the track, the coach said.
Thirty-eight of the Loggers 44 points at the state meet last year were in the field events.
"We score a lot of points in the field events, but we need to improve our scoring in the running events. We need to balance that out. That's one of my goals this year."
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The story is a bit different among Libby's girls.
Senior Jessica Nelson (sprints, long jump, triple jump) and junior Shantel McClindon (triple jump, 400, relays, sprints) are the only returning state qualifiers.
But the Lady Loggers have a wealth of young talent.
Tabis has high expectations for juniors Crystal Carr (shot, discus, javelin), Suzanne Laudan (jumps, sprints, relays), Rachel Morrow (sprints, relays), Trista Berget (sprints, jumps) and Kaitlyn Rutherford (throws).
Sophomore Devon Hoyer (hurdles, relays) was hurt much of last year.
"But this year she's healthy and we're seeing great things from her. She's really doing well in the hurdles," he said.
He also expects help from Rachel Sweedman (distances, triple jump, pole vault) and from Colorado transfer Kuinn Wilson.
Lindsay Kehn (sprints, hurdles) stands out among the freshman, the coach said.
Tabis is assisted this year by Rod Temple (pole vault, high jump), Jim May (long jump, triple jump), Tim Hodel (javelin, discus), Josh Bean (shot, discus) and Kyle Crawford (sprints, hurdles, short relay).
Polson
A long line of success.
The 2007 Polson boys track team is hoping to add to 12 straight Western A divisional track trophies.
The Pirates placed second in the Western A last year and were ninth at the Class A state meet.
They return eight lettermen and four state placers.
"All of the returning lettermen have excellent chances at placing at the divisional and state meets year," said boys head coach Bob Gunderson.
"Whitefish and Columbia Falls always have a lot of numbers out for track and will field good teams again. Libby and Ronan/St. Ignatius have some very good individuals returning and Eureka will definitely figure in the mix," he said.
"Our team goal this year will be to place in the top two at the divisional track meet and to have at least one individual champion at the state track meet.
"Barring injuries, we should have a good chance to add to our streak of 12 divisional trophies in a row."
Returning state placers are Ted Morigeau, Chris Ogle, Bryce Picard and Logan Torgison.
Morigeau placed fifth in 300 hurdles, Ogle was fifth in the 800, Picard was third in 200 and sixth in the 100. Torgison was fifth in 3,200 and sixth in 1,600.
Morigeau, Picard and Ogle are all returners from the 1,600 relay team which placed second.
Returning lettermen are: seniors Brandon Hoy (100, 200, 400 relay, long jump), Morigeau (pole vault, javelin, 400 relay), Ogle (400, 800, 400 relay, 1,600 relay), Kalvin Patterson (shot, discus) and Picard (100, 200, 400 relay, 1,600 relay, long jump, triple jump), juniors Cody Doyle (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 400 relay), Anthony Golden (javelin, discus, shot), Torgison (800, 1,600 and 3,200) and Ryan Kelley (pole vault, 110 hurdles, triple jump and 1,600 relay).
"Ted Morigeau, Bryce Picard and Chris Ogle are all capable of doing good things at the state level. Junior Logan Torgison had a very good cross country season and should do well in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 - and if Cody Doyle can stay healthy, he should have some success in the 110 hurdles," Gunderson said.
"Kalvin Patterson and Anthony Golden should give us decent shotput and discus throwers as the season progresses."
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Returning state placers for the Lady Pirates are seniors Tana Bull (400, 800, relays) and Danielle Rowe (high jump) and Brittany Gardner (discus, javelin, shot).
Bull was a member of the fifth place 1,600 relay team, Rowe placed fifth in high jump and Gardner was third in discus.
Gardner also made the state finals in both javelin and shot.
"She should do well for us," said longtime head girls coach Bruce Thomas.
Thomas is also excited about Rowe's prospects. Her high jump at state last year was 4-10. Her season best was 5-2. She jumped 5-4 at this year's Bozeman Indoor.
"She should have a good year," the coach said.
Others who qualified for the state meet, but didn't place include junior Marilee Mowbray (400, relays), junior Porsche Sherlock (shot, discus), Alex Noble (1,600, 3,200) and Kali Cook (800, 1,600 relay).
"We've got some good possibilities," Thomas said of the Lady Pirates.
"I figure Whitefish is going to be tough with the Ferdas and Libby always manages to find people," he said.
"But I feel good. We're working hard and we've got three or four freshman who look real promising. We've got a chance for a trophy at divisional."
Polson's first meet is the Columbia Falls Invitational on Saturday.
Gunderson and Thomas are assisted this year by Brian Havlovick (throws), Rob Kelley (pole vault) and Mindy Harwood (distance).
Ronan
The Ronan girls finished second at last year's Western A track meet.
That's maybe not such a huge feat - except the Maidens did it with just nine girls.
One girl didn't come out this year, but only one other - Christa Salomon - was a senior.
"We only lost one senior and we have picked up a few new (girls)," said longtime head coach Crystal Pitts.
"The girls are doing really good. There's a nice nucleus," Pitts said.
The Maidens will be led by distance runner Terinee McCready (1600 and 3200) and Sadie McMillan (hurdles/high jump). Both placed at last year's Class A state meet.
McCready, a junior, was second in both the 1,600 and 3,200 while the sophomore McMillan placed fifth in 300 hurdles.
Other returners include senior sprinter Brianna Malmquist, senior sprinter/triple jumper Stephanie Salomon, junior thrower Bethany Kosola, junior distance runner Kaneesha Benson and sophomore jumper/relay runner Kelsey Cable.
Tops among the new additions - Ronan has 16 girls out this spring - is junior transfer Ishan Wilie (high jump, shot, relays).
Wilie moved last year from Colorado to Arlee, then to Ronan last fall.
Other newcomers are freshman Roslyn Hardy (distance) and junior Tara Anderson (throws). The Maidens also have two freshman sprinters and two sophomore sprinters.
"I'm pretty excited. Our first meet will be Columbia Falls (on Saturday), but we won't be full squad probably until the first of May," Pitts said.
As for the rest of the conference, Pitts picks defending divisional champion Whitefish to be a contender again.
"They'll be tough," she said of the Bulldogs.
"And you've always got to worry about Columbia Falls."
Ronan assistants are Shelley Buhr (sprints/relays/pole vault) and Jonkar Arcenegia (throws).
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Young, inexperienced, but pretty athletic and willing to work hard.
That's the Ronan boys track team, according to second year head coach Noelle Decker.
The Chiefs return just one state placer - senior Alan Skogen was third in the discus last year - but they have a bevy of distance runners, a high jumper who has gone 6-foot-2 and a 400 runner who placed third at divisional with a time of 52.7.
Add to that mix a group of wrestlers who have turned out to pole vault and that makes things interesting.
"They're young and they're willing to work hard. They're good kids. We're enjoying them," Decker said.
Senior Cameron Barber is the high jumper. He also triple jumps and long jumps.
The distance crew consists of juniors Danny Beavers, Levi Maughan and Ryan Hardy.
"They should do fairly well coming back. They've got lots of experience and I see them doing a pretty good job," Decker said.
Tylar Espinoza will run the 400, sprints and relays.
"He was right up there behind (Whitefish's Taylor) Ferda and (Polson's Chris) Ogle," the coach said.
"One nice thing is we've got some wrestlers (Cameron Neiss and Micky Cheff) out who want to pole vault," Decker said. "Normally, wrestlers make pretty good pole vaulters," she added.
To help with that endeavor, Ronan assistant coach Shelley Buhr enlisted her dad, Daren Gunlock, former pole vault coach at Polson.
Others who should do well include senior middle distance runner/jumper Andre Dullinger, hurdler Jamie Engledrum and freshman high jumper Jorren Geis.
Whitefish
Two divisional titles and one state championship.
You could say 2006 was successful for both the Whitefish boys and girls track teams.
Now the question for 2007 - how many of those kids return?
"Few," laughed Whitefish head track coach Derek Schulz.
Whitefish graduated Taylor Ferda, Chris Hicks, Todd Harthan, Mike McCracken and a couple of relay team contributors from the state champion squad.
The Bulldogs return just two state placers - senior Cort Rogers, state pole vault champion and fourth place finisher in the 110 hurdles, and junior Henry King, a member of the 400 relay team that placed fifth.
But the numbers are still there for Whitefish - approximately 90 between the girls and boys teams.
"For our enrollment, that's excellent," Schulz said.
"Our assistant coaches have done an awesome job of getting out and helping recruit kids, making them feel wanted and valuable. For that, I'm really thankful," he said.
And the rest of the news isn't all bad, either.
"We probably have three or four kids that qualified for state last year that are right there in that position where they can step up," Schulz said.
Those include divisional placers Drew Coco (1,600 and 3,200), Ian Mallams (1600), Colt Idol (high jump), Tyler Mason (400 relay) and Jacob Fern (3,200).
A recruitment campaign has also added basketball players Aarok Tkachyk and David FauntLeRoy and word is that Byron Whitcomb and Jamie Clogg may also join the track team.
Senior Danny Neff is also out this spring.
Neff is a "great wrestler, played football. His shoulder injury caused him enough grief he couldn't wrestle this year. But he's quick. We'll see what he can do," Schulz said.
"Those kids haven't been out before, but they're competitive. That's what we want. Those are the kinds of kids who can have great success in track. It may not be their No. 1 sport, but that's OK. That's fine."
Distance running should be a plus for Whitefish this year, according to Schulz.
"Our strength in cross country this fall (both the boys and the girls placed third at state) will add some depth to our team. Coach (Bill) Brist has done an incredible job of building the team and the distance crew," Schulz said.
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Experience is the name of the game for the Lady Bulldogs.
They graduated one state champion - triple jumper Erin Greiner - but otherwise return a nice group from last year's Western A divisional champion team.
"We have a really nice core of senior girls out that are excellent athletes, but maybe more importantly, they are excellent kids," the coach said.
Those seniors include state placers Courtney Ferda (100, 200, 400, 400 relay, 1,600 relay), Carmel Johnston (pole vault), Lauren Kuennen (800, 400 relay), Marni Hale (100, 200, 400 relay, 1,600 relay) and Beth Donovan (800, 1,600). Junior Ashley Ferda (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, javelin, 400 relay) also returns.
Ashley Ferda is the defending Class A state champion in the 100 hurdles.
"These girls have been tested - in volleyball, basketball, track and soccer. That's what makes me optimistic, that we have a lot of those kids back this year."
Schulz is assisted this year by Brist (distance), Megan Pepe (throws), Kelliann Blackburn (sprints), Scot Ferda (hurdles), Jeremy Anderson (jumps), Rob Carter (pole vault) and Tara Kloker (javelin/trainer).