Moving onto divisionals
Devon White and Randi Arnold are officially the premiere jumpers of District 14-C.
The two girls, who seem to switch between first and second place each week, swept gold and silver in the long jump and triple jump at Polson on Thursday.
Devon White and Randi Arnold are officially the premiere jumpers of District 14-C.
The two girls, who seem to switch between first and second place each week, swept gold and silver in the long jump and triple jump at Polson on Thursday.
It was Arnold who took first in the long jump by leaping 15-1 with White close behind at 14-3, and then it was White who took first in the triple jump at 33-7 1/2 followed by Arnold at 33-1 1/2.
"They're well above the rest of the field in districts," says Coach Dustin Herbert. "Those two girls have a very good chance to qualify for state in that event (triple jump)."
Along with placing at state, the girls could also foreseeably mirror their efforts at the divisional level and go one, two in Missoula also with the big question being who would take first and who would take second.
Their success this year can be attributed to a triple jump focus from the coaching staff. Coach Herbert explains that good technique can go a long way in the triple jump and past tutelage from Plains teacher, Kevin Meredith, taught him a lot of the technique.
"Having those elite athletes that can do it, it kind of shifts your focus," says Coach Herbert. "You want to spend some more time with them and have them jumping to their potential."
On the boys' side, the big story of the day was Cody Hoff, who outdistanced his own personal record in the shot put by one and a half feet to earn a mark of 42-6 and grab second place.
"That was a big standout," says Coach Herbert. "That was real nice to see. He was stuck all year (around 40-41) and he really stepped it up."
Senior Reiley Winebrenner was up to his old tricks, being the only athlete on the team who moved onto the divisional meet in all five of his events.
He placed first in the 300 hurdles, first in the 400, second in the 110 hurdles, third in the shot put and second in the mile relay. In his best race, the 300 hurdles, Winebrenner ran a 40.47. In Missoula this weekend, he and his coach are hoping to move down and hit 39, a mark that he didn't see until state last year.
Right now, Winebrenner is still going back and forth with Ryan Dick of Harlowtown for the Class C lead in the 300 hurdles. Last year, Winebrenner placed second in the 300 hurdles at state along with placing second in the 400 and is hoping that his senior year can bring him that gold place finish.
Both the boys and the girls placed third in the team standings at Districts and every athlete on the team placed in an event and will be moving onto Divisionals.