Skogen shatters state discus record

Zach Urness

Leader Staff

Alan Skogen was obviously born in the wrong century. In the middle ages, the ability to launch a metal disc 177 feet, nine inches would have led to a famous career bombarding the cities of rival kingdoms and a cool nickname like “Alan the Annihilator.”

And while that might have been pretty neat, he’ll have to settle for first place at the Archie Roe Invitational, the state’s best discus mark this year and yet another Ronan High School record.

“Alan broke his record once again, this time by nearly 13 feet,” said boys head coach Noelle Decker. “You figure they will get a few feet better each time but over 10 feet further is really something.”

The mammoth toss highlighted a busy week for the Ronan/St. Ignatius track and field teams. Both teams placed in the top three at the Lake County meet in Polson last Tuesday, and then had some good performances, including Skogen’s, at the Archie Roe Invitational in Kalispell over the weekend.

Archie Row Invitational

KALISPELL-Ronan/St.Ignatius girls had some bright moments at one of the largest track meets in the state, finishing eighth with 21 points. Although the girls didn’t compete in all of their normal events, it was a good day.

“The meet offers a great experience for the athletes by being run like a state meet,” said girls coach Crystal Pitts. “Offering three divisions and close to 1,000 athletes.”

Briana Malmquist continued to have success, finishing second in the 100 meters (13.20) and fifth in the 200 (27.56).

Terinee McCready also had a good day, posting her season best and finishing fourth in the 1600 meters (5:34) and fourth in 3200 (12:05).

Ishan Wylie once again cleared 5 feet in the high jump and placed fifth.

“She was one miss away from finishing second in a four-way tie,” noted Pitts. “She is jumping well and consistently finding five feet.”

The 400 meter relay team of Stephanie Salomon, Sadie McMillan, Ishan Wylie, and Briana Malmquist placed sixth (52.42), a season best.

Alan Skogen’s discus toss was the story for the boy’s team, but they also got a strong performance from Tylar Espinoza, who scored second place in the 400 meters (52.08) and third in the 200 meters (23.42).

Cameron Barber, who currently holds the second best high jump mark in the state, had a bit of a disappointing day, taking fifth in the high jump (6’ 2”) and long jump (18’ 9”).

“Cameron had a disappointing day in the high jump but that happens from time to time,” commented Decker. “I expect he’ll be right back in the mix this Saturday at Polson.”

Lake County Meet

POLSON-The boys team took second place overall at the Lake County meet last Tuesday, scoring 81 team points. Skogen won the discus (156’ 9”), shot put (49’ 5 1/2”) and took fourth in the javelin (146’ 2”) to lead the way. Cameron Barber took first in the high jump (5’ 10”) and Tylar Espinosa got second in the 400 meters (51.91). Danny Beavers took second in the 3200 (11:17), Tyler Engeldrum got second in the 300 hurdles (43.6) and third in the 110 hurdles (16.88).

The girls took third place overall with 71 points.

Stephanie Salomon got out of the blocks first to win the 100 meters (13.53). Terinee McCready also crossed the line first in the 1600 meters (5:37) and Kaneesha Benson placed second in the 3200 (13:48).

Kelsey Cable had a big day, picking up a personal best and first place in the long jump (15’), first place in the triple jump (31’04”) and fourth place in the high jump (4’08”).

Ishan Wylie placed second in the high jump (4’10”) and placed fourth in the shot put (32’11”) and Kelly Lake finished third in the 800 meters (2:48).

The 400 relay of Stephanie Salomon, Ishan Wylie, Kelsey Cable, and Briana Malmquist took second place (52.80) and the 1600 relay of Tabitha Carlson, Kelsey Cable, Stephanie Salomon, and Briana Malmquist also finished second with a time of 4:22.

Both teams will be in action next Saturday at the Polson Thomas/Nelson Memorial track meet.