Pirates, Lady Pirates add three state champions to track

Throughout Polson High School runner’s Bea Frissell’s now decorated running career, she has continued to pile up accolades.

After the Class A Montana High School Association State championship meet, Frissell can now place two more state titles in her ever-expanding trophy case as she captured both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter titles.

Last year, Frissell as a sophomore, placed third in the 1,600-meter run and placed second in the 3,200-meter run.

Frissell had one major roadblock en route to her quest to capture a state title last year and that was Belgrade runner Pipi Eitel.

Eitel has now graduated and is currently a member of the NCAA Division I Northern Arizona track team. Her graduation and Frissell’s own personal improvement were two key factors that played into giving Frissell an opportunity to capture a State championship as a junior.

Frissell took full advantage of her opportunity and captured first in the 1,600-meter run recording a time of 5 minutes, 9.79 seconds, which also was a personal record.

Frissell also bested her state competition in dramatic fashion. The closest time to Frissell in the race was Custer County’s Morgan Vosler, who clocked in at 5 minutes, 20.35 seconds.

Frissell, only a junior distance runner, didn’t finish there. She defeated Vosler for a second time in the 3,200-meter dash recording another personal record of 11 minutes, 23.92 seconds. Vosler finished a distant second recording a time of 11 minutes, 37.55 seconds.

Molly Sitter, another critical component to a now stockpiled cross country team, finished sixth in the 3,200-meter run. Sitter recorded a time of 12 minutes, 16.50 seconds.

Mikaela DuCharme finished fourth in the long jump and third in the triple jump. Ducharme recorded a distance of 16 feet, 6.50 inches in the long jump and placed third in the triple jump with a personal record of 34 feet, 7.50 inches.

Ronan’s Kinsley Barney showcased her speed at state recording a sixth-place time of 13.32 seconds in the 100-meter dash.

Stewart captures title

Over the years Quin Stewart captured first in the 800-meter run. Stewart, who has become known for his ability as a distance runner, had a state-winning time of of 1 minute, 59.39 seconds. Stewart defeated Tanner Trafton, from Fergus, who clocked in at 2 minutes, .35 seconds.

Cote shines at State

Last year, Polson runner Colton Cote wasn’t even a member of the Pirates’ track team but this year has more than made up for his team away from the track and that translated into a Class A Montana High School Association State championship title May 24-26 at the Laurel Sports Complex.

Cote, as expected, captured first in the 110-meter hurdles recording a personal record of 14.84 seconds.

Cote also placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 40.25 seconds.

The Pirates relay team consisting of Dugan Davis, Colton Cote, Kyle Druyvestein and Trenton Adler placed third in the 4X100 relay event.

Adler also placed fifth in the 100-meter dash recording a time of 11.28 seconds and third in the 100-meter dash recording a time of 11.24 seconds.