O'Neill leads the way for Arlee

MISSOULA — Arlee warmed up in Hot Springs on Thursday, then went for some heated competition in a bigger meet at Big Sky in Missoula on Saturday.

Warrior senior Wyatt O’Neill took first in the triple jump (42-1). O’Neill actually had the distance for a 44 but fell backward at the end of his last leap.

It was good enough to earn him an invitation to last Tuesday’s Top Ten Meet in Missoula.

“He’s been feeling kind of under the weather,” head coach Sue Carney said, hoping the team’s top jumper will soon recover and compete at his best in Missoula. “Hopefully that will help him get over his sickness. Sometimes mental is also part of the game,” she said.

Another Arlee senior, Cubby Pierre past the 5-foot mark in the high jump to tie O’Neill  in the high jump.

Pierre has also been recovering, but from an ankle injury.

“He keeps getting better,” Arlee throwing coach Shawn Orr said.

Pierre also ran his fastest time of the year to take fourth in the 110-meter hurdles.

It’s Pierre’s first year of track and his last in high school.

“The nice thing about that was the only guys to beat him were Class B. He beat all the Class C guys at the meet,” Orr said.

While that completes the list of Arlee boys  who placed, there were other positives for the Warriors at the meet.

Freshman Zach Carver ran a strong 100-meter race (12.07) and freshman Zach Tameler ran a good 200 as well, Orr said.

After the loss of senior Kyle Felsman to a serious basketball related ankle injury, the team has had to regroup, but managed to put together a strong short relay team.

Although they didn’t place, Pierre, O’Neill and seniors Ethan Willoughby and Trevor Rice recorded the team’s fastest run of the year. They will be shooting for a 45 to  have a good chance at State, Orr said.

Otherwise senior Colten Carver and Rice had strong days at the pole vault. Rice nearly knocked down a 10-6 jump three times.

Arlee finished with 18 points at the meet.

Having O’Neill at the Top Ten meet is a matter of pride for the program.

“It’s always good to have small schools represented because he’ll be competing against boys from all classes.  It’s a nice meet to see where they’re at - the best of the west,” Orr said.

The Scarlets also earned some points in Missoula.

Senior Veronica Nelson tossed a javelin 108 feet for her best throw of the year. That throw placed her fourth.

Her little sister, freshman Becca Nelson threw for 93.5, her best throw of the year as well to finish seventh.

But in the discus, Becca bested her older sister with a 88.8  to take ninth.

“Becca was happy. The first thing she came and told me when she got done is ‘I beat Veronica,’” Orr said. “She’s improving and having fun and that’s what we want for all of the kids.”

Arlee finished with four points.

Now Arlee is getting ready to host its Twilight meet on Thursday, in honor of former Arlee athlete Brian Bachmeier. It has been a while since they hosted the meet and the team looks to bring its best there and down the road in the last meets before districts.

“We all have to come together and work hard and get as many points as we can here in those last couple weeks,” Orr said.