Polson track excels at home
POLSON - Another perfect Saturday at the Polson High School track can mean just one thing... another round of fast times, big throws and soaring jumps for local athletes.
Polson hosted seven teams at the Nelson/Thomas Athletic Booster Club Invitational. The Lady Pirates had to rely on their depth and consistency to win with 148 points against a tough, top-heavy field from Hamilton (105), Whitefish (78), Corvallis (57), Stevensville (46), Ronan-St. Ignatius (36.5), Browning (28.5) and Columbia Falls (14).
Named the meet's "Outstanding Female Performer," senior Loni Havlovick took care of business, scoring 28 points for her team by winning the discus (124-9) and the shot put with a throw of 41-2 1/2, a season best. She remains No. 1 in the class A state rankings in that event. Havlovick placed second in the javelin with a season PR of 107-2 1/2.
The team's top scorer, however, was senior Nicole Davey who contributed 30.5 points to the win. She stole the show, clearing 10-0 in the pole vault. Davey earned a personal record with a 58.9 finish in the 400-meter dash, placing second to Hamilton's Misha Trotter (58.79). Twenty minutes later, Davey returned to the track to place second in the 300 hurdles (47.75).
The short relay team (junior Katie Finley, freshman Anna DiGiallonardo, junior Breanne Kelley and Davey) came up just .02 shy of first place with a solid time of 50.53. The 1,600 relay team (Finley, senior Christa Red Crow, DiGiallonardo and Davey) triumphed over Hamilton with a time of 4:12.71.
"I never get tired of saying what a great group of competitive girls we have on this track team," coach Bob Gunderson said.
Red Crow topped the coveted 16-foot mark with a 16-1 long jump (sixth place), just 1/4-inch behind Hamilton's Kelsi Almond in fifth. In addition, she reached 32-10.5 in the triple jump.
"These were season best efforts for her," Gunderson said. "She is starting to get back in the hunt in these events right when it counts."
Senior Natasha Lafferty had a season best in the shot put (35-4) and junior Mesa Starkey doubled in the 800 and 1600, improving on her times and placing in both events.
DiGiallonardo had personal bests in both the 100 (fourth, 13.32) and 200 (fifth, 27.78). She also placed sixth in the 100 hurdles (17.78) in her first time running the event this season.
Kelley placed in all of her events even though Gunderson said she is running a little under the weather.
"She ran an excellent leg on the 1600 relay team," he said. "Hopefully, Bree will be at full-strength next week."
Geri Sylvester had a big day, helping the Pirates score points in the middle distance events. The senior placed in both the 400 (fifth, 105.36) and 800 (third, 2:33.37), turning in personal records in each.
Freshman thrower Daryl Conko-Camel had a personal record in the shot put, shattering the 30-feet barrier and placing fifth with a throw of 30-9 1/2.
According to Gunderson, senior Ty Fouty's 13-foot winning pole vault was the highlight of the boys' meet.
"It was a season best mark for him," Gunderson said. "He was extremely close to getting 13-6, which would put him among the state class A leaders in this event."
Ty's twin brother, Trae Fouty cleared 12-6 in just his second competition. Coming off a football-induced ACL injury, Trae practiced for just four weeks before Saturday's meet.
"Clearing 12-6 was excellent considering the short time he has had to prepare for probably the most difficult event in track and field," Gunderson said.
Pirate pole vaulters took four out of six places and the team's novice vaulters, freshman Drew Fouty and junior Jesse Alfiero, went one-two.
"The pole vault has always been a strength of our track and field program," Gunderson said. "[Coach Rob Kelley's] vaulters have continued the strong tradition in this event."
Athletes that aim to make state must now bring months of preparation to the line at the divisional championship meet this Friday and Saturday in Libby.
"I consider the divisional to be a qualifying meet," Gunderson said. "Qualifying in the top five in an event is more important than the place that you take."