Prep track and field preview
Arlee
Coach: Russ Baker
The young Warriors and Scarlets are a sign that the future is bright for Arlee track.
Coach Russ Baker’s girls should compete for a district title, Baker said, led by seniors Jessica Knoll (400 and 800-meter races, all-state as a junior) and Whitney Malatare (long jump, triple jump).
Knoll and Malatare team up with underclassmen Becca Whitesell and Alex Adams in the 400-meter relay and hope to return to state. Whitesell runs the middle distances, and Adams is a jumper and vaulter as well.
“We have a group of freshman girls that are tall, fast, and lean and I expect good things from them also,” Baker said.
On the boys side, all-staters Donovan McDonald and Isaac Desjarlais return. McDonald was fifth in the 2-mile race, and Desjarlais, just a sophomore, was fifth in the 800. Desjarlais is recovering from surgery, but should be full-strength come postseason events.
“We’re taking it pretty slow with him right now but he’s a tough kid and I’m sure he’ll be ready to defend his conference title in May,” Baker said.
The two all-staters will be backed by a host of underclassmen including Mark Felsman (mile), P.J. Haynes (sprints and jumps), Zach Grimmer (javelin) and Harold Yocum (hurdles).
Charlo
Coach: Bret Thompson
No area team has as much to live up to as Charlo’s boys. The three-time defending Class C champs are poised for another strong season with a senior class that has been there and done that.
The Vikings return three members of the 400-meter relay state championship squad (Tyler Delaney, Kail Pope and Jacen Petersen) and all four on the 1,600-meter relay (the three aforementioned plus Connor Daugherty).
Pope is the state champion in the 300-meter hurdles, and Petersen placed second last season in the pole vault. Delaney, another senior, placed in the 400.
The longer runs are more of a question mark for veteran coach Bret Thompson.
“I’ve got a group of distance runners that I’m hoping we can find some points down the road,” Thompson said.
The girls team has placed in state the past several years, but they haven’t been able to burst into the trophies.
“It would be nice to finally break through and get that,” Thompson said.
Seniors Aspen Runkel and Jordan Ludeman will star for the Vikings. Runkel should be in the hunt for a state title in both hurdles events, and Ludeman is expected to do the same in the pole vault.
Thompson also expects the relay teams to be strong with the help of some younger legs.
“It’s one of those things,” he said. “We’ve got to get the season going to kind of give us an idea of what we have.”
Mission
Coach: Trenna Ferris (first year)
Mission has its own track and field program for the first time in recent memory since the co-op with Ronan ended over the offseason, and first-year coach Trenna Ferris has taken the helm with enthusiasm.
“I know that Mission High School is very excited to have track and field back,” Ferris said. “…I know some athletes didn’t want to travel to Ronan everyday for practice last year and that is why they didn’t go out for the sport. We are very appreciative for the co-op that existed with Ronan, but hopeful we can build upon that and produce something great here in Mission.”
Senior Patrick Eichert will be the voice of experience for the Bulldog boys. The lanky athlete will compete primarily in the jumps. Sophomore Tate Weingart had a solid cross-country season and should lead the distance runners, and Ferris said she expects good things from sprinters Nick Durglo, Raymond Matt and Mikkel Kvist.
Senior standout Kaylie Durglo should highlight the distance runners for the girls along with Courtney Heath. A freshman, Maggie Weider, is expected to run the sprint events. Sydney Castor and Auxie Cates will be the jumpers.
“Overall, we are a young new team with the opportunity to improve and set goals for the season,” Ferris said. “We are looking forward to competing and representing Misson High School. It will be nice to get the first few track meets in to see where we stand compared to other teams.”
The Bulldogs are certainly the question mark in Class B since the co-op with Ronan ended.
Polson
Coach: Mike Ellis
The Pirates will be led by the usual suspects: distance runners Claudia Hewston and Tel Motichka.
Hewston, committed to run for the University of Great Falls next year, was a state qualifier in the 800-meter and pole vault last season. Fellow senior Hallie Hovenkotter was also a state qualifier, as was shot put specialist Chloie Huerta.
On the boys side, Motichka should be competitive in the 800 and the mile, and senior Sean Laimbeer is the top returning sprinter.
Ronan
Coach: Jim Benn (first year)
First-year track coach Jim Benn was concerned with numbers. With 30 boys and 19 girls out for Ronan, Benn can check off that part of the to-do list.
“The biggest thing was trying to get the kids out,” said Benn, who was impressed with what he saw over the first week of practice. “I feel like there are some first time kids that can come in and contribute for us.”
Highlighting those on the girls side are juniors Sydnee Clairmont and Aspen Jore. Clarimont placed at the Class B state meet in the high jump, and Jore did the same in the javelin.
Jade Gray brings back experience in the distance events, and fellow senior Kiana Howell is strong in the 200 and 400-meter runs.
The Chiefs have no points back from the state meet on the boys side, but they have plenty of athletes.
Lucas Gerhardt will compete in the shotput, javelin and short relay. Connor Benn is expected to stand out in the pole vault and sprint events, and junior Bryce Cullen will also be a top-notch sprinter.
“Most of our focus is trying to build multiple-event athletes, get our kids as much experience as we can and score some points,” Benn said.
Two Eagle River
Coach: Carla Torosian (girls), Clay Malatare (boys)
The Eagles’ track program boasts some serious speed, with DaShane Hewankorn, Byron Carpentier and Eugene Parker leading the way on the boys side.