Arlee keeps running

MISSOULA — With performances from the usual Arlee track stars, and surprising showings by the lesser known, a slew of Warriors and Scarlets earned their spots in divisionals at this past week’s 13-C District Meet in Missoula.

The Warrior and Scarlets units each finished third in the meet. The girls landed just behind Philipsburg’s 104 points with a 93-point finish and the boys just missed Victor’s 115 with an even 100.

And two bronze medals isn’t bad.

One event where the Scarlets pulled from veteran and newer talent for an outstanding showing was the discus.

“There’s kids that stepped up that I didn’t even think about,” Arlee head coach Sue Carney said. “I didn’t expect to sweep the disc. That was a pleasant surprise.”

Indeed, the Scarlets took the top five spots in the weighted Frisbee throw.

The gold medalist was Arlee freshman Becca Nelson.

“Becca really poured it on as a freshman and got going in that disc as well as the javelin,” Carney said.

Becca threw 94-8 and was followed by her senior sister, Veronica Nelson, for second (89-0), two freshmen sisters Aspen and Rachelle Meidinger in third and fourth, and Carlee Allestad for fifth.

Arlee keeps it in the family, with another exciting story coming from the Nelson’s. This time it was Becca’s twin brother Sam Nelson who turned heads.

Sam ran all season in basketball shoes. So when it came time for districts, a teammate loaned him some track shoes.

He went out with his new kicks and raced to a fifth place finish in the 1,600-meter.

“It’s kind of like Cinderella,” Carney said with a laugh. “If the shoe fits … It’s the difference between twinkle-toe Cinderella shoes and clod hoppers.”

Aspen, who beat out her twin sister for the third place finish in the disc, was not a likely candidate to place bronze in that event.

“She has been fighting the disc all year and it surprised her,” Carney said. ‘“Afterward she said, “You’re right, you never know until you try it.”’

Carney threw junior April Burnett into the 3,200 the week of districts.

“She looked at us with wide eyes and went out and ran a pretty good time,” Carney said.

Burnett placed third in the event.

“We were just shy of that elusive second place trophy and she did her part to help get us close,” Carney said.

Meanwhile, usual senior star Wyatt O’Neill hit a 42.6 for first in the triple jump and senior Jordan Lefler hit a 11-foot pole vault for gold in his top event.

Lefler was one of many Warriors to benefit from the advice of his teammates, who encouraged him to try a different sized pole in his vaults.

“That’s the thing about track,” Carney said. “Your teammates are part of your coaching staff.”

Injured senior Kyle Felsman and senior Trevor Rice, out with mononucleosis, have been there to give advice even when they can’t compete.

Sophomore Cassandra Kline also placed in two events. She took third in the pole vault and fifth in the triple jump.

“I’m hoping for some surprises next weekend so we can take a busload of kids to state,” Carney said.

The Class C divisional takes place this Friday and Saturday at UM in Missoula.