Tight races expected in Class A state track

While the Montana High School Association earlier this week issued backup plans for its state softball tournaments in case of inclement weather, there was no such thing for track.

The show must go on.

"Nothing new," Whitefish coach Derek Schulz said of competing in rain today at the Class A and B state track meet in Bozeman.

"We've endured about everything there is this year. We make a point of being ready to compete no matter what. This is Montana."

The local track season began the final weekend in March with the Columbia Falls Invitational being snowed out. The final weekend will also be less than ideal, but at least tolerable. The forecast for Bozeman today and Saturday calls for rain and temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 60s.

"It could be warmer," Polson coach Bob Gunderson wished.

"We have some muscle owies. I'd like it warm."

And so would his athletes who are nursing season-long injuries.

Teams from Northwestern A will be major players, again, on the individual and team fronts. Libby won the boys' team title a year ago, while Whitefish finished on top in 2006.

Polson could also be a force. The last time the Pirates won state was 1996.

Corvallis and Laurel are also in the title picture.

"We want to be," Schulz said of being one of the teams to beat.

"When you look at all the good teams around the state, it's just a matter of how the points spread out."

In the girls' team competition, Whitefish, Polson, Belgrade and Hamilton are the cream of this year's crop.

"It just depends how things fall out," Gunderson said.

"The kids seem like they are the healthiest they have been."

Polson will have eight boys competing in 10 events. Logan Torgison, who owns the best 800 time (1:56.9) statewide, has qualified in four individual events (400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200) plus a relay. There is a good chance Torgison may not run the 3,200 today, instead focusing on the 400 and 800.

"I'm not going to wreck him," Gunderson said.

"In the 3,200, he would run his heart out; not be able to do anything else."

Torgison owns the fourth-best time in the state in the 1,600 (4:24.4) and the 3,200 (9:47.8).

The Whitefish boys will have 13 boys competing in 16 events. The only event the Bulldogs missed out on for state was the triple jump.

Drew Coco has qualified in four individual events (400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200) and a relay.

Coco is second time-wise in the state in the 800 (1:57.3), third in the 1,600 (4:22.8), but first in the 3,200 (9:40.2).

"He had a splendid divisional," Schulz said.

Whitefish's Willie Roche "also had a great divisional," Schulz said.

Roche qualified for state in four events (high jump, long jump, 400 and 1,600 relay).

Anton Daoud will also compete in four (100, 200 and both relays) for the Bulldogs.

"I think our event coverage and the number of competitors we are taking is good," Schulz said.

"And the mindset is where it should be."

Like the boys, the Whitefish girls have 13 at state, but in 15 events. The have no qualifiers in the shot put or high jump.

The Bulldogs figure to do a lot of scoring in the distant events, javelin and 100 hurdles.

Ashley Ferda, a WHS senior, is a two-time state champion in the 100 hurdles.

"Amongst the top divisional performances I've seen from girls, Lauren Kuennen's was amongst the best," Schulz said.

"Two firsts (800 and 1,600) and a second (3,200), that was incredible. And third in the 400, that was really the difference in the meet."

The Whitefish girls finished second a year ago at state. The last time they won it - 1984.

"We have to take another step up from divisional," Schulz said.

"If we do that, we put ourself in good position."

Polson's girls will have 10 competing this weekend in 11 events.

Freshman workhorse Breanne Kelley will be doing six events (200, 400, 100 and 300 hurdles and both relays). Nicole Davey is in five (400, 300 hurdles, pole vault and both relays).

Bigfork's Andrew Whittaker returns to defend his state title in the 100.

Seth Wright of Libby has the best high jump mark in the state (6-71/4), while Whitefish's Colt Idol is close behind (6-6).

Wright is also a contender in the triple jump (43-3).

Libby's Zack Rowan is one of the state leaders in the 400 (50.4).

Mallery Knoll of Bigfork had a strong divisional in the sprints. Columbia Falls' Emily Stoltz finished second in 100 hurdles.

The Columbia Falls boys have two talented sprinters in Stephen Baumgarter and Scott Palmer.

Class B

Eureka has won just one state track championship. That was back in the 1940s and one athlete did all the scoring.

The Lions came close in 1999, finishing second.

If they have another weekend like they did last week in winning the Western B divisional, who knows what will happen.

"If things go right, we score in the 50-point range, if the points spread out, it could be enough to win it," Eureka coach Joe Lewicki said.

Lewicki said the team's effort at divisional was exceptional.

"There was so much energy, everyone just exploded," he said. "Athletes who were not doing well all year pulled off great performances at the end. I hope they can keep it going."

Eureka will have eight boys competing in 13 events. Presley Armstrong was the divisional champion in the 100, 200 and 400. He will also run on both relays.

Eureka has qualified eight girls in 11 events. Freshman Bailey Malecha will compete in five at state (100, 400, 800 and both relays).