Vikings are champions

POLSON - They say records are made to be broken, but Charlo's Michael Smith knows all too well that some records won't go down without a fight.

The junior distance runner clocked a 3,200-meter time of 10:35 to win the Class C district championship last Thursday and clinch the school's record, which his uncle, Leroy Smith, held for 19-straight years.

"My dad told me I couldn't come home unless I beat the record," an exasperated Smith said with a smile, bending down, trying to catch his breath on the infield after the race. "I've been trying to get it for so long."

The race was even more of an accomplishment when you consider that Smith started the season running the event a whole minute slower.

"I started out in a rut, with 11:30s for a while," he said. "Then, once I got out [of the rut], I decreased my time in everything by a little bit each week."

With his time steadily dropping as the season progressed, Smith began to eye his uncle's crown. Still, he had quite a ways to go until last week when he shed a whopping 20 seconds all at once.

Running alone for eight long laps, Smith relied on his coach's stopwatch to keep pace.

"They put kids on each corner," Smith said. "That's what really helped me - everyone cheering me on."

Several other Vikings took home top honors in the meet, winning 12 events and the team title by more than 150 points over runner-up Arlee.

Senior Chance Firestone couldn't be touched in the long jump (19-9), pole vault (13-0) or relay events and finished second to Hot Springs' senior Riley Winebrenner in the 400 with a time of 53.25.

Senior Chance Rosenbaum won the 800 (2:15.68) and 1,600 (4:56.7), both relays and placed second in the pole vault with a leap of 12-6.

Junior Chico Stipe crossed first in the 100 (11.79) and 200 (23.59) sprints and placed third in the high jump with a second place tying height of 5-8.

The Lady Vikings had a big day too, winning the team trophy with 219 points to Arlee's 112. Charlo won 14 of 18 events and turned in personal bests up and down the roster.

Sophomore Deondra Brown swept the sprints, dominating the field in the 100 (14.06), 200 (28.29), leading a Viking sweep of the 400 (1:04.69) and both relays. Brown said the highlight of her day was the 200, where she crushed her personal best by two whole seconds.

Junior Brittany Shaver took the ship's wheel from there, capturing individual titles with season personal records in the 800 (2:35.3), 1,600 (5:53.03) and the 1,600 relay.

"This year, everything seems to be going okay," Shaver, who's struggled with sickness and injuries in the past, said. "I am getting a lot stronger and I'm a lot happier this year."

In the field events, senior Jaris Kelley continued to impress. She took first in the shot put (30-6), javelin (107-5) and the pole vault with a jump of 8-6.

Junior Shaelyn Fell and freshman Rachel Hoyt turned in strong performances in the hurdle events, with Fell crossing first in both (17.28 and 50.46 in the 100 and 300, respectively).

Sophomore Dawn Blevins and senior Stephanie Maughan provided depth in middle distance running and relays.

Hoyt, who also won the high jump (4-8), said the team's success can be attributed to "working hard in practice, having the coaches stay on us and motivation from other athletes."

Whatever the ingredients, coach Bret Thompson hopes his teams can carry this momentum into the next round of championship meets. The Vikings will compete May 21 and 22 at divisionals in Missoula, where they'll face some of the toughest competition of the season.