Bell and RSI track jump to state

CORVALLIS — Ronan-St. Ignatius qualified a multitude of athletes for state after strong performances at the Western B Track and Field Championships last weekend.

Jalen Bell led the way, winning two divisional championships in the long jump (21-3.75) and triple jump (42-7).

“He has a good shot at winning the long and triple jump but everyone steps up their game at the state meet so we will see,” Ronan head coach Crystal Pitts said.

He helped the Ronan-St. Ignatius boys to a fourth-place finish at divisionals and also placed sixth in the high jump (5-10). Paden Alexander notched high placings, taking third in the 800-meter dash (2:06.37), second in the 3,200 meter race (10:57) and second in the 1,600-meter race (4:37.63).

“Paden improved his school records in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter races,” Pitts said.

Also for the boys, Marcus Hungerford was sixth in the 400 meter dash (53.82). In the 3,200-meter race, Wyatt MadPlume was fifth (11:05.78) and Danny Romero was sixth (11:13.38).

In the shot put, Lucas Gerhardt was fourth (43-0.5), while Shelby Grant was fifth in the pole vault (11-0), followed by Connor Benn in sixth (11-0).

“Connor and Shelby in the pole vault did very well in a tough competition,” Pitts said. “For Connor 11 feet was his personal best.”

Jake Skelton placed third in the 100-meter dash (11.68) and both 1,600 and 400-meter relay teams took third. For the girls, Ronan-St. Ignatius got a pair of second-place finishes. Twyla Hogge was second in the shot put (32-4) while Jenny Larsson was second in the high jump (4-10).

“Jenny is jumping well, she had five-foot and clipped it with her heels,” Pitts said. “Twyla is throwing well. She is throwing even better in practice so we hope to get that throw at the state meet.”

Aspen Jore was fourth in the shot put (30-4) and fifth in the javelin (105-0). In the 400-meter dash, Kiana Howell was fifth (64.69). Ashley Courville finished sixth in both the 1,600-meter race (5:55.73) and 800-meter dash (2:37.92). She also finished fourth in the 3,200-meter race (13:06.41).

Jade Gray was sixth in the 3,200-meter race (13:23.53), while Stephanie Lewandowski was fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (16.93).

“Stephanie improved her 100 hurdle school record in a very tight race,” Pitts said.

Sydnee Clairmont was fourth in the high jump (4-8) and Kaylie Durglo was sixth in the triple jump (30-6.5).

Ronan-St. Ignatius will head to the Montana Class B Track and Field State Championships this weekend in Bozeman.

“You hope for your season bests,” Pitts said.