Sanders County track in full stride for spring season

The Hot Springs track team is gearing up for the 2009 season with schedule of grueling practices. They practice everyday for an hour to an hour and a half inside and outside, when the weather allows.

Coach Dustin Herbert said he is expecting big things out of the 18 kids on the team this year.

Matea Depoe is returning for her senior year and is on point to be successful in the throwing events, especially shot put. Depoe competed in the state tournament last year in the long jump.

Jordan Springer, also a returning senior will be focusing on her two best events, the 200 and 100-yard sprints.

Junior Reiley Winbreer is expected to place highly in every event. Coach Hester added he anticipates Sophomore Trevor Bras to pick up momentum and be able to compete with most of the upperclassmen.

Most of the 18 members are juniors and seniors and are returning from last year.

The girls’ won the county track tournament last year, sending five girls to the state tourney. Although no one placed, Herbert feels confident that he has the team this year to place, and even win.

Herbert has been coaching at Hot Springs for three years. He participated in track at Billings Central, throwing shot put and discus.

Victoria Nytes is the assistant coach this year. Nytes is from Minnesota and this is her first year at Hot Springs.

Hot Springs first meet is in Missoula at the Alberton-Drummond Invitational Thursday April 2.

The Horsemen and Trotters of Plains High School have also began practices for the 2009 track season.  There are 37 members on the team this year, most of which are upcoming freshmen. Coach Don Stamm said last year he barely had enough girls to compete in events, and that with the turnout this year the way it is, there will more than likely be an A and B team for individual relays. This way, more members get the chance to compete.

Mitch and Trent Thompson are two standouts returning. Ethan Harvery is expected to excel in the discus will Emma Ehret also has the potential to qualify for placing.

Dillon Fryxell will be a strong contender in the 400 and is on pace to compete at state again this year in the high jump.

"We are overall working to have a great season," Stramm said. "We have a lot of depth this year so I’m expecting us to place in most events."

The Noxon Red Devils began their spring practices with intense workouts last week. With 19 members on this year’s team, Coach Greg Misner is optimistic about this season and has high hopes for each member.

Practices are being held indoors and outdoors when the weather permits.

The Red Devils competed in all levels of competition last year, with two members making it to state.

Senior Jesse Hay competed in hurdles last year and is planning to make it that far again this year. Adam Moore is also another one to watch. The sophomore excels in hurdles and javelin.

Sophomore Bryant Eaton will be one of the top sprinters on the team and look for Derek Jensen, also a sophomore to lead the team in all the throwing events.

Girls to expect great things for are senior distance runners Lindsey Franz and Kate Williams.  Senior Marissa Osborne, and sisters Rachael, a junior and Cara Stettler will lead the sprinters. Cara is a freshman and has been training hard to compete on the level with the upperclassmen.

"The team is well balanced throughout," Misner said. This is Misner’s first year as coach. He was the varsity boys track coach at Carsonville School in Michigan for two years. In those two years, the team finished ninth and fourth in the state respectively.

Noxon’s first meet is in Idaho against Bonner’s Ferry Thursday April 2.