Arlee nabs second

POLSON - While sophomore Becca Nelson was the only athlete to win an event title, strong performances across the board gave the Scarlets the points they needed to surpass Hot Springs and take second to Charlo in the District C Championship meet last Thursday.

Nelson won her second district discus title in two years. Her throw of 89-2 1/2 was just enough to top sophomore teammate Aspen Meideinger's 88-7, which was good for No. 2. The Scarlets dominated the event as sophomores Rachelle Meideinger took fifth (83-9) and Jenna Pablo (74-3) rounded out the top six.

Nelson scored points in four other events, placing second in the high jump (4-6); third in the javelin (103-8); fourth in the pole vault (6-6) and sixth in the shot put (25-9 1/2). Aspen and Rachelle Meideinger went two-three in the shot put with hurls of 29-10 1/2 and 28-11 1/2, respectively.

Senior Chelsea Allaire finished second in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 18.86, sneaking by Noxon's Shelby Clark and Charlo's Rachel Hoyt by less than four-tenths of a second. Allaire went on to place third in the long jump (13-11) and fourth in the javelin (96-1).

Junior Cassandra Kline's 30-4 1/2 placed third in the triple jump.

"She was sick and still had one of her best jumps of the year," coach Russ Baker said.

All seven Scarlets qualified for the Divisional meet, which takes place in Missoula this Friday and Saturday. Only the top five from that meet will continue on to State.

"There are a lot of them sitting right there at fifth and sixth right now," Baker said. "They all have a chance, but they'll have to do their best. They can't have an off day and expect to make it."

The Warriors produced champions in three events, also placing as runners-up behind Charlo in the team competition.

Sophomore Sam Nelson won the javelin with a personal record strike of 154-11. In fact, all six of his throws Thursday were personal bests. Nelson's 154-11 now sits at No. 2 in the division, but he will have to bring his ‘A' game to the next meet, as there are quite a few boys within inches, Baker said.

In his other events, Nelson captured fourth in the triple jump (36-9 1/2) and sixth in the 100 hurdles with a time of 20.66.

Senior Kyle Felsman took top honors, twice, reaching 39-4 1/2 in the triple jump and clearing 5-10 in the high jump. New to the event, Felsman said he considers the high jump his best event.

"We tried it out one day in practice and I was clearing 5-8," he said. "I think I just hit this mental wall when I get to six feet."

Though he's done it in practice, Felsman hasn't yet cleared the illusive 6-0 in competition and is determined to get it at districts. He'll rest his legs and focus on timing and steps this week in practice.

"I've got to work on form," he said. "That's the key to the high jump."