Polson boys win, girls second at Libby

Zach Urness

Leader Staff

The Polson track and field teams continued to impress last weekend, as the boys team ran away with a first place finish and the girls took home second at the Libby Invitational.

Brittany Gardner pulled off a trifecta of championships for the Lady Pirates, winning the shot put (33'6"), the javelin (116'10") and the discus (121'9") to help the girls score 122.5 overall points — more then twice that of third place Bigfork.

"Brittney did very well," said girls head coach Bruce Thomas.

Chris Ogle headlined the boys charge into first place with wins in the 400 meters (51.99) and 800 meters (2:01.41).

"Chris is finally healthy," noted boys coach Bob Gunderson. "He ran season bests in both events and also ran a great leg for the 1600 relay."

The Polson boys also got big days from Bryce Picard, who placed in five events, including a first-place finish in the 200 meters (23.81) and second place finishes in the 100 meters (12.12) and triple jump (40'1"). He helped Polson sweep the relays as well, as they won the 1600 meter relay (3:37.13) and the 400 meter relay (45.82). The relay team was composed of Picard, Ted Morigeau, Ogle and Logan Torgison.

"Bryce did everything again," said Gunderson. "It was a very good day for him."

Torgison had a triple helping of second place finishes, taking second place in the 800 meters (2:02.41), 1600 meters (4:35.65) and 3200 meters (10:15.93).

"It was a huge day of workouts for Logan," noted Thomas. "He'll do anything you ask him too, and we're thankful to have him."

Cody Doyle also placed, scoring points with a second place finish in the 110 hurdles (17.35) and third place in the long jump (18'8").

Ted Morigeau, who was competing with an injured toe, still managed to help his team, taking third in the 300 hurdles (41.92) and fourth in the pole vault (12'3").

"I think he would have won the 300 hurdles if he would have been healthy," commented Gunderson. "We're going to have him see a physical therapist and hopefully he'll be doing better."

"Overall," Gunderson continued, "the kids did very well with such a long day."

The Polson boys had six athletes (Torgison, Morigeau, Picard, Doyle, Ogle and Jason Bowman) competing in the Missoula Top Ten tournament as the Leader went to press.

Following Gardner's performance for the girls was Merilee Mowbray, who grabbed dual wins in the 200 (2:01.41) and 400 meters (61.05). Tanna Bull scored points with a third place finish in the 400 (1:04.19) and fourth place in 800 (2:36.63).

"She was sick and her times were a little slower," said Thomas of Bull. "She put out a very good effort."

Christa Redcrow earned top place in the long jump (15') and a fourth place finish in the 100 hurdles (18.60). Alex Noble also grabbed a second place finish in the 3200 (13:06.59).

The girls relay team of Bull, Redcrow, Davey and Mowbray did well with first place in the 1600 (4:11.72) and second place in the 400 (53.04).

"The girls are doing what they need to be doing," commented Thomas. "They're working hard in practice and it's paying off in the meets so far this year."