Glittery talent ushers in new era for Pirate track team

It’s a typical March in northwestern Montana. The weather rolls from sunny to overcast, with some light hail mixed in. Yet through all the ever-changing weather the Polson Track Team continues to practice. 

This may be a regular sight for anyone that's followed Polson athletics over the years. However, thanks to young talent, familiar faces, and a bit of glitter it’s a new era for Polson track and field.  

The young talent includes two sophomore girls from separate sides of the racing spectrum: Amelia Stene, a sprinter/jumper, and Morgan Delaney, a distance runner. Although they may be competing in different events they share two qualities, early success and high expectations. 

Last year Stene finished fifth in the 100m and 14th in the long jump at Class A State. Delaney, last fall's cross-country Class A state champ, finished sixth in the 1600 and fourth in the 3200 at the 2024 Class A State Track and Field Championships. 

Both Stene and Delaney, when reflecting on the peaks and valleys of their freshman campaigns, called last year a “learning experience.” Both have their eyes set on finishing further up the state totem pole this year. 

Both athletes participate in indoor track and despite the differences between indoor and outdoor they acknowledged that it’s a great way to, “determine goals.” The indoor track season for Delaney provides a great opportunity to see “where they stack up,” not only against state competition but across the western United States.  

Leading this young team are new co-head coaches Melinda Withrow and Nicole Bonner. If those names sound familiar it’s likely because their accomplishments are sprinkled throughout state championship teams and the PHS track record books.   

“You can tell people are hungry this season,” said Bonner of the team. Withrow added that the duo trying to create a program in which “kids feed off coaches' energy and excitement.” 

The head coaches reflected on their own experience as high performing athletes and how it can aid their coaching. “We know the stamina it takes … the hard work it takes,” said Bonner. 

As far as culture, Withrow stressed the value of “trusting the process” and cultivating a “buy in” from athletes, with both agreeing on the idea of creating new traditions to help strengthen that culture and creating an environment of “wanting to do better for your teammates.” 

It seems the young stars are already walking in lockstep with their coaches when it comes to culture and tradition. “We got to wear the glit for the glit,” laughed Delaney, adding, “We put glitter on, we wear makeup, we put our hair up and it just helps calm you down before races.” 

For Stene, the glitter is just one aspect of “creating a fun environment so when people see track, they see it's a fun environment.” That playful atmosphere can help retain athletes since, according to Stene, “A lot of people drop sports in high school.” 

While trophies are a goal, it’s not the only one that matters to the new coaches. Bonner admits, “obviously you want them to be competitive and love track as much as we do.”  

But they also share another vision, that of helping their team become “independent, good choice-making young adults … that leave here and are ready for the real world," and equipped to "work hard and push themselves.” 

    New co-head coaches Melinda Withrow and Nicole Bonner were former track starts for Polson High. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)