'C' is for Champions

LAUREL – The Charlo boys track team spent the weekend giving credence to the saying that “good things come in threes,” storming past the competition to take their third-consecutive state title.

Anchored by strong performances from the usual list of suspects, the team again showcased the depth that has made Charlo the premier force to be reckoned with in Class C track this decade.

“It feels great,” said head coach Bret Thompson, basking in the glow of his team’s three-peat. “It’s nice having kids willing to put the time in.”

Perhaps owing to their past triumphs at the state level, Thompson said that his team’s confidence and focus never wavered.

“They put themselves in position after Friday, and they performed really well on Saturday,” said Thompson.

“There were a lot of positive things. … They fed off of each other.”

Stars abounded in the Viking raid of the winner’s circle, with Tra Ludeman and Kail Pope sweeping the hurdles events, Webb O’Neill edging teammate Jacen Petersen for a second-consecutive pole vaulting crown, and the 400 relay team also grabbing top honors.

Ludeman took the 110-meter hurdles in a scant 15.51 seconds. The win was an appropriate conclusion to Ludeman’s sterling high school athletic career.

“He was very determined to go out on top. He earned it,” Thompson said of the star senior, who is headed to the University of Montana this fall, where he will attempt to walk-on to the football team.

Ludeman’s hurdling prowess was matched only by junior Kail Pope, whose breakout season culminated in a state title in the 300-meter event.

“Last year he placed as a sophomore, and this year I think he surprised even himself,” said Thompson.

“The good thing is we get him back again,” Thompson added, noting that Pope will have “no choice” but to assume a leadership role on next year’s team.

O’Neill, another senior with an illustrious sporting career in Viking purple, successfully defended his state pole vaulting title by clearing 13-0. His closest competitor was fellow Viking Jacen Petersen, who cleared the bar at 12-6 for second-place. O’Neill produced the team’s only school record this season, topping a height of 14-? earlier in the campaign.

Ludeman, Pope and Petersen united with Tyler Delaney in the 400 relay to notch another Charlo win. Though he didn’t grab the same headlines as some of his teammates who won their events, Delaney arguably had the best tournament of anyone on the team.

“Tyler Delaney walked out with four medals,” said Thompson. “As far as medal counts, he had the most of the boys.”

Although the team will lose several key contributors to graduation, Thompson is strongly encouraged by the talent that the program already has in the pipeline, as the quest for a fourth title looms on the horizon.

“We had other kids that ran very well and can take the next step. We could be seeing them on the podium next year.”

CHARLO GIRLS TRACK

The Lady Vikings also enjoyed a strong showing at the state meet in Laurel, finishing in fifth place overall. The team was particularly well-represented in relay events, earning second in the 400 relay, and coming in fourth in the 1600.

Individually, the team was led by junior Aspen Runkel, whose time of 16.31 in the 110-hurdles was good for third-place, finishing a step ahead of Rachel Hoyt, who took fifth (16.51). Runkel also finished fourth in the 300 hurdles.