State Track: Bozeman, Laurel host finales

With the worst weather out of the way, things are looking up for state track this weekend. 

Class AA and B will meet in Bozeman, where the Flathead girls and Glacier boys will look to make a run at the team titles. 

The speedy Bravettes sprinted to a team victory at the Western AA divisional last weekend, and have the legs to make a run in Bozeman. Flathead’s 4x100 relay team has been the best in the state this season. The team also has a wealth of talent in the jumps, including defending state champ and Class AA record holder Kwyn Johnson in the triple jump. 

Johnson isn’t the only jumper looking to make her mark at state. Glacier’s Leah Cook is carrying the banner for the Wolfpack women, who should also be strong in the throws. Cook, one of the top AA athletes in the long and triple jumps is a favorite to medal for Glacier. 

The Glacier boys are led by their field athletes, including two-time state javelin champion Todd Ogden. Defending long jump champion Kyle Griffith will be tested by crosstown rival Matthew Tokarz of Flathead in each of the jumps, with Tokarz coming out on top in each of the matchups this season. 

The most exciting runs of the weekend will likely be in the distance events, where Flathead’s Zach Perrin, Glacier’s Troy Fraley and Hellgate’s Adam Peterman have all run record-beating times this season. 

The distance events are where Bigfork sophomore Makena Morley has made her name, as a favorite to repeat in the 1,600 and 3,200. In addition to the long runs, Morley is also a defending champion in the 800, and a contender in the 400, where she finished sixth last season. 

Whitefish is expected to make a lot of noise at the Class A meet in Laurel. 

The boys have a lot of speed, led by senior sprinter Logan Harwood. The depth of the Bulldogs will push them among the class’ top teams, along with defending champs Corvallis and a host of Eastern powerhouses. Polson’s Riley Sampson should be one of the favorites in each of the throws, holding top marks in the discus and shot put.

Whitefish is led by junior sprinter Marlow Schulz on the girls’ side, the defending champion in each the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes. Polson’s Anna DiGiallonardo is expected to be a top competitor in each of the sprints and has the top mark in the state in the long jump this season.