Ronan-St. Ignatius put it all on the line

POLSON - If there's ever a time to lay it on the line, it's in the final meet of the regular season. There is little room for error as competition stiffens and survival-of-the-fittest becomes not just a theory, but a law.

When Ronan-St. Ignatius junior Marcus Hungerford took the lead after the first lap of the 800-meter run, he was testing his limits in a non-consequential setting. Polson hosted the Nelson/Thomas ABC Invitational Saturday, providing one last chance for local athletes to compete before the Northwest A Divisional meet this week.

According to coach Noelle Decker, Hungerford said he "was feeling it."

"I was talking with him afterwards and he said he just felt really good and took the lead, thinking he could hang on, but flat ran out of steam the last 50 meters," she said.

In a valiant effort, Hungerford finished sixth with a very good time of 2:06.83, just under two seconds shy of his time at the state meet last year. If he can run that again this weekend, he should qualify.

"I would like to see him run 2:04 and yes, I believe he is capable of that," Decker said. "Columbia Falls will probably take three of the top five places in both the 1,600 and 3,200. They are just loaded with distance runners."

Junior Jordan Franklin ran his best time of the season in the 300 hurdles (42.13), placing third. His hurdler teammate, Brazilian exchange student Gui Silva also turned in his personal best time for a third place in the 100 hurdles (16.7).

"They both had good races and I am anxious to see what they can do this weekend," Decker said.

If there's ever a time to peak, it's going into the final two weeks of the season.

Junior Adessa Durglo turned in six jumps over 16 feet with the longest leap landing at 16-11 1/2, good for second place to Browning's Marti Eaglefeathers who posted an incredible 17 1/4 for the win. Her efforts earned Durglo a personal and school record in the event. Well, technically, six.

Durglo placed in four other events as well. She was sixth with a personal record in the 100 (13.5); sixth in the 200 (28.57); second in the triple jump (33-7) and fourth in the high jump (4-10).

Sophomore Rose Bear Don't Walk turned in three stellar performances. She also earned a personal best in the 100 (15.3), the 200 (31.5) and the 800 (2:52).

Junior La Glen Mitchell's 96-08 in the javelin was her best ever. She turned in a solid time of 29.2 in the 200, too. It was even more impressive considering it was her first time running the event.

Freshman Mariah Cheff joined Mitchell as a first-timer in the 200 and crossed the line in 31.65. Cheff ran to personal bests in the 100 hurdles (19.26) and 300 hurdles (56.0).

Ronan-St. Ignatius boys and girls will compete in divisionals this weekend in Libby.