Thompson Falls track takes meet at home

It was a busy stretch for Sanders County track teams as they competed in multiple events last week.

On Thursday, Thompson Falls took full advantage of their home field as they claimed both the boy’s and girl’s titles at the Blue Hawk invitational track meet. Thompson Falls tallied 147.5 points, Troy, 111.5, Plains, 78, Noxon.5, Superior 50, Arlee 42.5 and St. Regis 2.

For Thompson Falls, Dominique Holt claimed wins in the 400 and 300 hurdles, while placing third in the pole vault and tying for sixth in the high jump for the victorious Blue Hawks. Cody Phillips won the pole vault and placed second in the javelin. Jaron Laws won the two-mile and placed sixth in the mile. Preston Schubert won the 110-meter hurdles, placed second in the 300 hurdles, tied for third in the high jump, and placed fourth in the triple jump and pole vault. Chalis Wilson tied for third in the high jump, and palced fourth in the discus and javelin for the Blue Hawks.

Plains head coach Tony Banovich said that despite less than ideal conditions, his athletes performed well.

“I continue to be very excited about the performances of our athletes.  At every turn these young people continue to impress me with their competitive fire and spirit,” he said.

Taylor Firestone of Plains lept his way to wins in the long and triple jump and a second place finish in the high jump. Firestone’s triple jump of 44’6” was a new school record. He also placed second in the 100-meters. Robert Earhart finished second in the 800-meters and third in the 400 while Carter Montgomery won the 800 for the Horsmen. Montgomery’s time of 2:09.19 was his personal best.

Banovich was pleased with the performance his freshman throwers as well. Wyatt Winebrenner, Ben Gorham and Adam French each look impressive in the junior varsity ranks.

“At the rate they are improving, they should all be ready to compete at the varsity level in the late season meets,” Banovich said.

Adam Moore won a pair of events for Noxon. Moore claimed the discus and javelin while placing third in the 300-hurdles and tying for sixth in the 100-meters. Derek Jensen won the shot put and placed third in the discus and javelin. Banks Stocking placed third in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump for the Red Devils.

The Lady Hawks stood atop the girl’s standings on Thursday, claiming 172 points. Superior was second with 132, Plains third with 84, Arlee fourth, 54, Noxon fifth, 27 and St. Regis sixth, 6.

Hope Reid led the Lady Hawks, winning five events. Reid took the 100 meters, the 100 and 300 hurdles, the high jump and pole vault. Mariah Naegeli claimed the two-mile, second in the mile and tied for third in the pole vault. Erica Sorlie won the mile and placed fourth in the 800. Evalina Weilander placed third in the 800-meters and mile and sixth in the triple jump. Leann Lantz placed second in the 400-meters, third in the 200, fourth in the 100 and fifth in the long jump. Angie Padden placed third in the 300 hurdles, fourth in the 100 hurdles and tied for third in the pole vault for Thompson Falls.

For Plains, Nicole Rehbein won the 200-meters and Franky Weinbrenner took the discus. Weinbrenner’s toss of 101’10” was her personal best. She also placed fourth in the shot put. Diamond LaDeaux finished second in the 800-meters and third in the 400. Tia Thompson placed third in the discus, fourth in the javelin and sixth in the shot put and Nicole Kunzer placed second in the discus and fifth in the triple jump for the Trotters.

Shelby led the way for Noxon’s girls. Lloyd placed fifth in the mile, 100 and 300 hurdles and sixth in the long jump. Teammmate Brooke Smithborne placed fourth in the 400-meters, fifth in the 200 for the Lady Devils.

On Saturday, the Columbia Falls boys and the Cut Bank girls reigned supreme, winning the Bigfork Invitational track and field meet.

Columbia Falls tallied 148.5 to sneak Loyola Sacred Heart, 145. Plains finished third with 90, Bigfork, 89, fourth and Kalispell Glacier, 70, fifth. Thompson Falls placed tenth with 52 points in the field of 16.

On his 18th birthday, Firestone set new school, meet and personal record in the long jump, 22-2, and the triple jump, 44-7.5, he also placed third in the high jump.

Montgomery won the two-mile, 10:20.00, and placed second in the mile, 4:42.61, and set personal records in both.

For Thompson Falls, Phillips placed second in the javelin and third in the pole vault.

On the girls’ side, Cut Bank scored 163 points. Rounding out the top five were Whitefish, 155.5, Bigfork, 121.5, Browning, 103, and Columbia Falls, 71. Thompson Falls, 63, finished sixth, and Plains, 55, ninth.

For the Trotters, Rehein placed fourth in the 200-meters and sixth in the 100-meter and 100 hurdles. Diamond LaDeaux won the two-mile and finished fourth in the mile. Winebrenner placed second in the discus and Kelsey Beagley fifth in the 200-meter for Plains.

Banovich feels that his athletes will only continue to impress as the weather cooperates and the season continues.

For the Lady Hawks, Reid won the 100 hurdles and high jump, placed second in the pole vault, third in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100-meters.

This weekend, both Plains and Thompson Falls will compete at the Seeley-Swan Invitational. Pending individual performances, athletes will qualify for the Western Montan Top Ten Meet to be held in Missoula on April 26.

“I’m really hopeful to get in two to three boys and two to four girls into the Top Ten meet,” Banovich said.

“That would be a great statement on how well these kids are performing; and, a great reward for all the hard work that they’ve done to this point in the year.”