Arlee throwers look strong

MISSOULA — Arlee was the first track team in the county to start its season with an appearance at the Seeley High School Invite at Missoula Big Sky High School last weekend. Despite having just one-fourth of their team, since the meet was so early and many kids had not accrued enough practices to qualify for competition, there were still plenty of bright spots for the Warriors and Scarlets.

MISSOULA — Arlee was the first track team in the county to start its season with an appearance at the Seeley High School Invite at Missoula Big Sky High School last weekend. Despite having just one-fourth of their team, since the meet was so early and many kids had not accrued enough practices to qualify for competition, there were still plenty of bright spots for the Warriors and Scarlets.

“The girl throwers are going to be tough this year,” Arlee head coach Russ Baker said. “They always are.”

Arlee swept all the girl throwing events thanks to strong performances by Becca Nelson and the Meidinger twins. Rachelle Meidinger took first in the shot put with a throw of 32-10, with her sister right behind in second place with a mark of 32-5. Nelson set a personal record for the shot put event and placed third with a throw of 29-2.

Nelson would go on to win the discus event with a throw of 98-5, and the javelin with a throw of 109-10. Rachelle Meidinger was fifth in the discus with a mark of 87-4.50 and fifth in the jevelin with a distance of 78-10. Aspen Meidinger was fourth in the discus with a toss of 91-1.

For the boys, Sam Nelson, Becca’s twin, set a personal record in the javelin and finished second with a throw of 160-6. He also did well in the jumping events, placing fifth in the long jump with a mark of 17-3.75 and second in the triple jump with 37-10.50. Dustin Baker placed sixth in the triple jump with a jump of 35-3.

“We have a lot of upperclassmen this year but we also have a good group of younger athletes too,” Baker said.

The event was an unsecured event between teams. Arlee will be back in action this weekend at Corvallis, and then in Ronan on Tuesday.

Seeley High School Invite

BOYS

Javelin – 2. Sam Nelson, Arl, 160-6.

Long jump – 5. Sam Nelson, Arl, 17-3.75.

Triple jump – 2. Sam Nelson, Arl, 37-10.50. 6. Dustin

Baker, Arl, 35-3.

GIRLS

100 hurdles – 6. Eulla Fullerton, Arl, 21.35.

Shot put – 1. Rachelle Meidinger, Arl, 32-10; 2. Aspen Meidinger, Arl, 32-5.50; 3. Becca Nelson, Arl, 29-2.

Discus – 1. Becca Nelson, Arl, 98-5; 4. Aspen Meidinger, Arl, 91-1; 5. Rachelle Meidinger, Arl, 87-4.50.

Javelin – 1. Becca Nelson, Arl, 109-10;5. Rachelle Meidinger, Arl, 78-10.50.

High jump – 4. (tie) Becca Nelson, Arl, and Jessica Henrekin, SS, 4-6.