Northwest track athletes shine at Top Ten and ARM Invitational Meets

It was a busy week for Class A track teams at the Top Ten Invite in Missoula on April 22 and the Whitefish-hosted ARM Invitational on April 26.

In the throwing events, Ashtin Brown of Polson and Lane Voermans of Columbia Falls continued to push each other in a friendly but fierce rivalry. Brown took first in the shot put at both meets, highlighted by a school record heave of 61-10.5 at the ARM Invite, a massive personal best. Voermans, not to be outdone, captured the discus title at the Top Ten Invite with a throw of 170-4, then unleashed an all-time meet record 181-2 at Whitefish.

In the shot put, Voermans finished runner-up to Brown at both meets with throws of 50-8 and 54-0, respectively. Polson’s Jack Sherry added to his team’s depth with a third-place toss of 45-2 at Whitefish.

Capri Farmer and Polson Distance Girls Turn Heads

Libby freshman Capri Farmer showed maturity beyond her years, sweeping the 800 (2:24.68 PR) and 1600 (5:18.72 PR) at the ARM Invite. She narrowly held off Polson sophomore Morgan Delaney, who placed second in both events and also claimed silver in the 3200 at the Top Ten Invite with a personal-best 11:22.49.

Polson’s Kimora Scott and Chloe Savoy added depth to the Lady Pirates’ mid-distance effort, while junior Kellyn Nelson took second in the 300-meter hurdles and finished runner-up in the pole vault with a 10-0 clearance.

On the boy's side, David DiGiallonardo placed sixth in the 1,600 meter race at the Top Ten, while Mission runner Harlon Leishman was 8th in the same event. In shorter distances, Polson's Amelia Steve was fourth in the 100 meter.

Relays and Team Depth on Display

Whitefish’s relay dominance was evident at the ARM Invite, with the Bulldogs winning both the boys’ and girls’ 4x100, as well as the boys’ 4x400. Bigfork placed second in both events, led by standout efforts from Savik and Austin Savik, who won the 400 with a PR of 52.15.

Polson’s girls got their revenge in the longer relay, winning the 4x400, while Columbia Falls came in second. That consistency across events shows how tightly contested the northwest Montana team scene is heading into the final weeks before divisionals.

    Polson's Astin Brown launches the shot put at the Top Ten meet. (Bob Gunderson photo)