MCDONALD RACES TO THREE VICTORIES

POLSON — You could call Donovan McDonald “Superman” but when was the last time the Man of Steel won the 800-meter dash, the 1,600-meter run and the 3,200 run all in one day at a district track meet?

While he didn’t have a cape, McDonald flew around the track to get top marks (2:17.24 in 800, 5:00.44 in the 1,600, and 11:01 in the 3,200) in all his races, and was a part of Arlee’s relay teams.

POLSON — You could call Donovan McDonald “Superman” but when was the last time the Man of Steel won the 800-meter dash, the 1,600-meter run and the 3,200 run all in one day at a district track meet?

While he didn’t have a cape, McDonald flew around the track to get top marks (2:17.24 in 800, 5:00.44 in the 1,600, and 11:01 in the 3,200) in all his races, and was a part of Arlee’s relay teams.

When asked if winning all three of those races were tough, Arlee head coach Russ Baker explained just how impressive McDonald’s feat was.

“It’s tough to just do all three of those races in one day,” Baker said. “We thought he had a chance to win those but he had to beat out St. Regis’ David Shadley, and even with the headwinds, Donovan was close to his best times.”

McDonald’s effort helped Arlee placed third at districts for the boys, while the Scarlets took third as well. The Warriors got another first place finish from speedster Zack Carver in the 100-meter dash (11:47). Carver also placed second in the 200-meter (23.20) and third in the 400-meter dash (54.39). Carver was also fourth in the pole vault (10-6).

“Zack’s 100-time was a good time for him and looking at the other districts, he should do pretty well at divisionals,” Baker said.

Al Plant also placed for Arlee in the distance races and will move on to divisionals with a sixth-place finish in the 1,600-meter (5:20.44) and a fifth-place finish in the 3,200-meter run (11:38.05).

Sam Nelson was narrowly beat out by Noxon’s Banks Stocking by an inch for his third straight district title in the javelin. Nelson placed second in the javelin (155-1), second in the long jump (19-5.25), sixth in the triple jump (36-10.5) and sixth in the pole vault (9-6) Mark Fullerton stepped up in a big way and placed fifth in the javelin (124-0) and third in the high jump (5-4). Justin Adams was fourth in the discus (108-10.5) and second in the shot put with a personal best (39-3). Dustin Baker also recorded his best triple jump of the season to place fourth (37-3).

For the girls, the throws were the strong point again with Becca Nelson winning the discus (102-8) and Rachelle Meidinger winning the shot put (34-4). Aspen Meidinger placed second in the shot put (33-10.5) and both Meidinger sisters look to be a force at the divisional meet.

“They could go first-second in divisionals,” Baker said.

Nelson placed second in the javelin (116-11) after Charlo’s Dawn Blevins bested her on her last throw. Nelson also placed fifth in the shot put (30- 5.5). Rachelle was second in the discus (98-9) and Baker is happy that he has two discus throwers (Nelson and Rachelle Meideinger) at or near 100 feet in throws.

In the 400-meter dash, Jessica Knoll placed fourth (68.86). Knoll also placed fourth in the 800-meter dash (2:56.82) and Alexis Shick was sixth (3:12.28).

“Jessica ran her best times in the district meet,” Baker said.

In the high jump, Nelson was third (4-8) while Jenna Pablo was tied for fourth (4-6).

“The ones that placed were the ones we expected to be in the top five going in,” Baker said.

In the long jump, Whitney Malatare got a personal best and placed second (15-3) while Pablo was fifth (13-9). Malatare was second in the triple jump (29-4.5) while Pablo was fifth (28-0) and Nelson was sixth (28-0). In the pole vault Tiffany O’Neill tied for fifth (6-0).

DIVISIONALS

Heading into divisionals, Arlee has several track athletes that could qualify for state if they perform well. Baker said he’s liking McDonald’s chance in the boys’ 3,200 meter race and Carver in the 100-meter dash.

“Zack could win it all or not place,” Baker said. “That’s how stiff the competition is at the divisional track meet.”

Adams could move on if he gets strong marks in the discus and Sam Nelson could go in the javelin, triple and long jumps if he does well.

For the girls, Becca Nelson could do well in the discus and javelin while the Meidinger twins could dominate the shotput. Baker also expects Malatare to do well in the long and triple jumps.

“They’ll have to come in and compete well,” Baker said.