Ronan/Mission track teams show potential

BIGFORK — The Ronan/Mission track team met at Bigfork where the girls were on top of their game with some personal best performances.

Mission's freshman Shelby Fraker got fourth in the 200m for a time of 28.7, her personal best. Kaneesha Benson broke her personal record in the 1600m taking fifth place with 6:02. Kelly McMillan placed in the shot put with her best throw of 28'02".

McMillian was in Columbia Falls the day of the meet and raced to Bigfork shortly after taking her ACT test, explained head girls coach Crystal Pitts.

"Now that's dedication," Pitts said.

A total of 11 girls placed, with five placing fourth or better. Benson, a cross-country veteran, took third in the 3200m, her first time in the event. Kira Creenshaw also took third in the 1600m with a time of 5:57.

The team is greatly benefiting from last year's cross-country girls because they are already conditioned for speed and are using it to get Ronan's track team ahead of the competition.

It was a tight squeeze but the girls managed to find places in the 400 and 1,600 relay, with Stephanie Salomon, Tenille Hennessy, Fraker, Briana Malmquist and Kira Crenshaw, several of whom did well in cross-country.

Ronan girls finished sixth out of nine teams with 32 points.

In regards to practice Pitts said that she doesn't want to push the girls too hard because they're young, but it is the little things that are going to help them down the road.

Ronan boys took sixth as well with 53 points, right behind Whitefish with 63.

Five boys placed with Andrew Graham placing in two events; the 1,600m where he took third and the 800m where he secured a position in second.

Also impressive was Aaron Skogen, who took first place in the discus with a throw of 137-6 feet, and his teammate Cameron Barber, who jumped to second in the triple jump with 40-11.

While some good feats were accomplished in the individual events, Ronan boys took last in the 1600m with a time of 3:56.5.

Ronan met at Kalispell Tuesday. Results were unavailable by press time. Their next meet is at Whitefish Saturday at 10 p.m.