Ronan preps for divisionals

POLSON — Ronan-Mission hit the neighbor’s track at full steam this past weekend at the Polson ABC meet. And the sun was shining on the Chiefs and Maidens.

“We finally had perfect track weather … The boys’ times and marks were a reflection of the good weather, as many of them set personal records and that is a good confidence booster,” Chiefs head coach Noelle Decker said.

Senior Jamie Engeldrum was one such Chief competitor. Engeldrum finished just behind the state’s top competitor in the 110-meter hurdles, Corvallis’ Slater Powell, for a silver medal.

“He had a good start and just looked strong all the way through. He said that he could see him out of the corner of his eye the whole race and just kept pushing to stay with him,” Decker said.

Engeldrum also placed fourth in the 300 hurdles.

Engeldrum said he scored a personal best time in the shorter race.

“It was pretty good. It was good to have somebody to chase. I really improved my time so that was good,” he said.

Engeldrum is hoping to place in the top two or three in both events at divisionals this week.

“If I give it my best, I think I can accomplish it,” he said.

He said his team is armed with some good throwers, sprinters and hurdlers.

“I think we can make some noise at divisionals,” he said.

Senior Danny Beavers placed third in the 3,200 and looks to place in both the 3,200 and 1,600 at divisionals.

Another Ronan senior, Adam Skogen finished fourth in the javelin in Polson.

“He did not end up throwing the shot because of some shoulder pain,” Decker said. “I am really hoping we can get him all healed and he has a good meet this Thursday and Friday,” Decker said.

Even Waldron placed sixth in the long jump for his team.

For the Maidens, Mission sophomore Adessa Durglo placed in three events including two fifth place finishes in the long and triple jumps and a sixth place finish in the high jump. Her long jump of 15 feet and1.5-inches was a personal best.

Lisa Larsson finished second in the javelin with her longest throw of 102-10.

Ronan senior Tabitha Carlson had a personal best pole vault of nine feet for fifth and a personal best 400 to finish sixth.

In addition, Carlson PR’d in two other events.

“It brings my self confidence up so I’m hoping I can stay with it and still do good in divisionals,” Carlson said.

Her pole vault is closing in the school record of 9-6.

She hopes to hit it, and earn her way to state this year.

“It would be a great way to end my year. It means I have to try hard and encourage my team too. I have to leave them with the inspiration to do well,” she said.

Twyla Hogge set personal best marks in the shot put, discus and javelin and Jenny Larsson and LaGlen Mitchell each had personal bests in the javelin to boot.

Rachel Hardy and Taylor Cullen each set three personal bests in running events and Christina Williams and Rose Bear Don’t Walk each PR’d in the 1,600.

Ronan competes at the Northwest A Divisional Track Meet at 3 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Saturday at Polson High School.