Polson sweeps competition at C-Falls tourney
Cristal Jones for the Leader<br>Cody Doyle competes in the long jump. Polson placed three individual champions last weekend.
Zach Urness
Leader Staff
COLUMBIA FALLS — The Polson track and field teams blew away the competition last weekend at the season opening Columbia Falls Invitational, as both teams toughed out the chilly air and rain to come away with top honors in the team competition.
The girls team finished with 153 total team points — 57 more then any other team — and the boys team finished with 100 1/2 total points to beat out host C-Falls who finished with 88 1/2.
“Our times were very good for this time of year,” said girls head coach Bruce Thomas. “Its a good sign to have so many girls place this early in the season and score points for us.”
The girls team had three double winners at the meet and managed to take first place in 10 of 17 events. Danielle Rowe earned victories in the high jump (5 feet) and 100-meter dash (13.28), Merilee Mowbray won the 200 meters (27.44) and 400 meters (1:02.72), and in perhaps the biggest surprise of the meet freshmen Christa Redcrow won the long jump (16 feet 1 inch) and 100 meter hurdles (17.63).
Nicole Davey, another freshman, pulled off a big win in the 300 hurdles (49. 41), Brittney Gardner won the discus (116 feet and 5 inches) and Tanna Bull earned second place finishes in the 400 and 800 meters.
“We have some great leadership from our seniors,” noted Thomas. “But I was most surprised by how our freshmen performed — both Nicole Davey and Christa Redcrow had great times — and it’s good to know that they can score points for us at the varsity level.”
The Polson girls also took first place in the 400 meter relay (52.66) and the 1600 meter relay (4:22.38).
“Our relay times were about 10 seconds faster then they were last at this time last year,” commented Thomas. “So that’s a pretty good sign.”
The boys team had three individual champions including Bryce Picard, who won the 200 meters (23.97) and took third place in the 100 meters; Logan Torgison, who won the 800 meters (2: 04.78) and took second in the 1600 meters; and Ted Morigeau, who won the 300 meter hurdles (42.00), took second in the pole vault and sixth in the javelin.
Ryan Kelley also placed, taking forth in the pole vault and fifth in the triple jump.
Like the girls, the boys also swept the 400 (45.42) and 1600 (3:44.03) relays.
The Pirates’ next meet will be Tuesday, April 10 at the Flathead Invitational in Kalispell.