ARLEE RACES TO STATE

by Brandon Hansen & Sports Editor
| May 24, 2012 12:00 PM

CORVALLIS – Arlee qualified six athletes for state at the Western C Divisional Championships last weekend. Becca Nelson led the way with a second-best throw in the javelin of the season (125-8) to place second.

“She came on at the end of the season last year,” Arlee head coach Russ Baker said. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see her do the same this year. In the javelin, she’s top five in the state.”

Nelson also placed fifth in the discus (99-8) as the Scarlets scored all their points in the throwing events. In the shot put, Rachelle Meidinger was third (33-5) and Aspen Meidinger was sixth (33-0.5).

“Becca didn’t even spin on the discus throw,” Baker said. “She did that one standing. She’s been consistently right there around 100 and I know she can throw further than that.”

Whitney Malatare also placed seventh in the long jump with a 15-foot jump.

For the boys, Donovan McDonald continues to excel in the distance races, placing fourth in the 3,200 meter race (10:47.31).

“He ran by far his best times in several races and he made it to state in the 3,200, which is the race we expected him to make it in,” Baker said. “His mile time and 800 time were faster than he has been running. He set a PR in the mile with a 4:53.”

Zack Carver did damage in the sprint races, placing third in the 100-meter dash (11.71) and fourth in the 200-meter dash (23.71).

“Zack is probably in the top five for the 100-meter,” Baker said.

Sam Nelson placed fifth in the long jump (19-7).

“Sam has been shooting for 20 feet and he tried several times at the meet and scratched by an inch,” Baker said. “He’s working on getting his mark in and that fifth place was the one jump he didn’t scratch.”

Arlee will travel to Butte this weekend for the Class C Montana Track and Field Championships.

“I would like them to get their best times and distances at state,” Baker said. “If they do their best you can’t ask for much more and you just have to see how they match up in the state. If they do their best they have a chance at placing at state.”