Arlee gears up for districts

Arlee had four first-place finishes at the Lake County Invite in Polson last Tuesday as its core group of athletes continue to perform admirably leading up to the district meet this Thursday, also in Polson.

Arlee had four first-place finishes at the Lake County Invite in Polson last Tuesday as its core group of athletes continue to perform admirably leading up to the district meet this Thursday, also in Polson.

For the girls, Aspen Meidinger was first in the shot put (34-2.5) and Whitney Malatare was first in the long jump (14-9.5) for the Scarlets at the five-team track meet. Arlee also had two second-place finishes by Becca Nelson in the discus (93-6) and javelin (112-0).

Also in the throws, Rachelle Meidinger was third (32-

0) in the shot put after coming back from a leg injury.

“She’s still a bit tentative but she’s getting better every day,” Arlee head coach Russ Baker said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she got a throw of 33 feet, maybe 34 feet, at districts.”

In the jumps, Malatare placed second (29-7) in the triple jump and Alex Adams was third in the long jump (13-9.5). For the boys, Zack Carver was first in the 200-meter dash (23.51) and Sam Nelson was first in the javelin (164-1).

Both were personal bests and both should be looking to score plenty of points at the district meet this Thursday. Carver was also third in the 100-meter dash (11.79) and should be near the top in that event while he’ll battle Charlo’s Stephen Delaney for top times in the 200-meter race. Nelson had the best javelin throw in the district so far this year but will be looking to recover quickly after tearing up his finger.

“Sam’s throw is the best in the district but Banks Stocking from Noxon has thrown 162 feet,” Baker said. “That’s going to be the competition.”

Justin Adams was third in the discus (113-1).

SEELEY-SWAN INVITE

At the Seeley-Swan Invitational on Saturday, Arlee had placers despite bad weather conditions in Missoula. For the boys, Zach Carver was third in the 100-meter dash (11.59) while Justin Adams was sixth in the discus (120-6) and Sam Nelson was sixth in the long jump (19-2.5).

“That was Justin’s personal best in the discus,” Baker said.

For the girls, Aspen Meidinger was third in the shot put (34-1.5) and Becca Nelson was third in the javelin (114-10).

DISTRICT MEET

There will be several track and field battles to watch when Charlo, Arlee and Two Eagle match up at the district track meet this Thursday in Polson.

“We hope to get a trophy,” Baker said. “That’s what they’re shooting for. Charlo looks like they might have it locked up but the second place trophy is wide open. Hot Springs should be our main competition for the boys and Superior will be the competition for the girls.”

Baker said that the battles to watch should be Charlo’s Dawn Blevins and Becca Nelson in the javelin, while Sam Nelson and Banks Stocking should duke it out for the boys in the same event.

Zack Carver and Stephen Delaney will be the marquee matchup in the short distances sprint races as well. Baker added that Becca Nelson tried the triple jump for the first time at the Lake County Track meet and almost got 30 feet so she’ll compete in that event at districts.

“She’s the kind of athlete that you can put into any event,” Baker said.

The district track meet starts on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in Polson.