A.R.M. Invitational attracts large field, top athletes

Most of the top track teams in Northwest Montana will descend on Whitefish today for the A.R.M. Invitational.

The meet will feature 15 schools and nearly 700 athletes, making for some highly anticipated races on both the boys and girls sides.

Whitefish features a pair of speedsters in Amanda Foley and Marlow Schulz, and two fast relay teams on the girls side. Schulz is one of the top 400 runners in Class A and Foley is one of the fastest in the state in both the 100-meter dash and the 300 hurdles.

The girls 100 should be exciting with both Anna DiGiallonardo from Polson and Lexy Boschee from Glacier each joining Foley in what could be one of the fastest 100 heats before the state championships.

Bigfork’s Makena Morley will lead the Vals into Whitefish, carrying the fastest times in Class B in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. She’s been blowing away the field at every meet this season and could set a few records this weekend.

In the field, Glacier will bring its usual contingent of huge jumpers as will the team traveling furthest for the meet, with Sammy Evans of Havre looking to comptete with the top Western jumpers.

On the boys side, Columbia Falls senior Derrick Williams has been having a stellar final season for the Wildcats. He has run some of the fastest times in the state in the each of the distance runs.

Bigfork’s Ryan Hayes will lead a deep group of sprinters and Eureka’s Hunter Price highlights a fast bunch in the hurdles.

Events start at 10 a.m. at Whitefish High School with boys javelin and girls discus. Events on the track begin at 10:30 with the 100 prelims.