Twice as nice

Zach Urness

Leader Staff

Ronan grabs second place finishes at Bigfork

Alan Skogan broke his own Ronan discus record last weekend, tossing a 164’ 11” beauty through the cold wet Kalispell sky on Tuesday, April 10 to top his original record of 163’ 5”. The mark also gave Skogan the top discus mark in the state.

“I was a bit surprised he popped that one out and especially on his last throw,” said boys track and field coach Noelle Decker. “We knew he was capable but the conditions were not that great. I have no doubt he will break that record again before the season is over.”

While Skogan’s record setting mark was the story last week at the small Kalispell meet, the Ronan track and field teams also did well at the Bigfork Invitational, both taking second place among 12 teams.

“I was very pleased with our individual and team performances this past weekend in Bigfork,” said Decker. “Our boys team is pretty young this year, but they really are putting a good effort forth week after week.”

The boys team rode first place finishes from Skogan in the discus (160’), Jamie Engeldrum in the 110 meter hurdles (15.83) and Cameron Barber in the high jump (6’4”) to second place and 68 team points overall.

Barber also took third place in the long jump (18’8”) and third place in the 300 meter hurdles (45.38).

“Cameron did well again,” commented Decker. “He was a little disappointed in his marks - but they were still impressive.”

Decker also pointed out Engeldrum, who also took fifth in the 300 meter hurdles (45.64), as a positive force on a young team.

“He just works so hard each week and continues to improve,” she said.

The Chiefs had a trio of placers in the 3200 meters, including Danny Beavers, who took second place (11:23), Levi Maughan, who took third place (11:52) and Ryan Hardy, who took sixth place (12:19).

Aaron Trudeau also had a big day for Ronan, taking second place in the 800 meters (2:10) and sixth place on the 400 meter relay team that also included Kyle Pitzer, Ethan Maughan and Lynn Birthmark.

The girls also earned a second place finish, scoring 110 team points highlighted by eight individual winners, narrowly coming in behind Florence, who took top prize with 116.

“This was a good meet for our team,” said girls head coach Crystal Pitts. “Some of them were taking the ACT in Kalispell and came to part of the meet while others had to leave early for the Jazz Band dinner back in Ronan, but all in all we had a lot of good performances.”

Brianna Malmquist led the way with a triple-win domination of the sprints. She did all five events and won the 100 meters (12.99), the 200 meters (27.20) and the 400 meters (64.0).

Ishan Wylie won the high jump (4’11) in a closely contested final, and then ran down to the shot put finals and placed fifth (30’10”).

Sadie McMillan won the pole vault with 8’6 and took second in the 100 hurdles with a career best time of 16.9.

Terinee McCready won the 800 meters (2:34) and the 3200 meters (12:29).

Stephanie Salomon pulled out her best triple jump of the season in the first round and, although she had a sore leg, she hit a (32’8.50) on her final try to take first prize.

“It was an exciting day for her,” said Pitts.

Kaneesha Benson took fourth in the 800 meters (2:50).

Tabitha Carlson, who is out for track for the first time and ran the 400 meters in 68 to finish 6th.

“She has also been a nice addition for the relays,” said Pitts.

The Ronan relay team also did well as the 400 meter relay of Stephanie Salomon, Ishan Wylie, Kelsey Cable, and Brianna Malmquist placed second with 54.28 and the 1600 relay of Briana Malmquist, Kelsey Cable, Terinee McCready, Tabitha Carlson placed third with 4:42.9.

The Ronan track and field team will be in action this Saturday, April 21 in Libby.